Kunle Adelabu
-Says he wants to be addressed as ‘Asiwaju’
Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, the Asiwaju of Ibesheland and his wife, Yeye Asiwaju Olukemi Olusanya, the Yeye Asiwaju of lbesheland, have unveiled their plans to further bring development to Ibesheland and Ikorodu Division by extension.
The couple, who are educationists and also hold the title of Asipa and Yeye Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom, said that the conferment of the honourary titles of leadership on them, would further spur them to intensify actions on their human, infrastructural and general community development activities.
The new Chieftaincy titles will be formally conferred on them today by the Olubeshe of Ibesheland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Bisoro I.
They unveiled their agenda for their new positions at their home country at Owode – Ibeshe, during a press conference that heralded their installation ceremony, on Thursday.
While Asiwaju Kaoli said that he would focus on facilitating infrastructural developments, education and mentorship, Yeye Asiwaju Olusanya said that she will be committed to the development of children, girl – child, youths and women empowerment.
Asiwaju Kaoli, speaking, said that he would continue to use his goodwill to bring infrastructural development to Ibesheland to assist individual and business growth.
“The community would benefit more in terms of infrastructures which is to provide an enabling environment. When the environment is good, every individual, businesses and groups would be able to find their feet.
“I always say that if Nigerians are given adequate security, roads, electricity, and an enabling environment generally, everybody will find their ground and those that are ‘Japaing’ (running away in search of greener pastures) to London and other places, will find something to do since they are not looking for government work”, he said.
He emphasized the need to aid youths in their development, to enable them to be useful to themselves, family and the society at large.
“Beyond that, the young ones need somebody that they can connect with, listen to them and somebody that they feel in their own world, because they have perception that is quite different from ours.
“They refer to my own generation as old school, and yes, we are, but experience is needed to guide the young ones. So, the role I have been playing very well is to bring them to talk mentor them and look into their dreams to see how you can guide them to the right path to add value to the nation and our community.
“Once you have been able to work on their mindset, and they see you as somebody that is ready to listen to them and can guide and help them, I think that the temperature will be cooler, because they know that they have somebody that they can talk to. That is the gap that I want to fill in ”, Asiwaju Kaoli said.
Speaking on how he intends to manage his new role as the Asiwaju of lbesheland and that of Asipa of Ikorodu Kingdom, as well as how he wanted to be addressed, the former Commissioner for Agriculture & Cooperative, Lagos State, said:
“The two responsibilities of Asiwaju of Ibesheland and Asipa of Ikorodu are honourary titles. The Asipa is just like the Chief Counsel to Ayangbure and to be able to do this is to be a confidante, an ally and somebody that is there at all time to give objective advice and support Kabiyesi and also moderate how to approach the government, since I have been part of the government and with my presence, the government will have confidence in that royalty.
“This is the role that I am bringing to Ibeshe which I have already been doing.
“To manage that is to do the same thing and I think it’s also corroborating. My role has been identified by other communities and it is on that basis that I have been drawn closer to replicate and do more.
”Yoruba has meaning to names, especially Ijebu for that matter. When you say Asiwaju and Asipa, the Asiwaju precedes Asipa. Asiwaju is the leader and you can’t be called Asiwaju and Asipa at the same time, but you can have many titles like Mr President with many titles all over Nigeria, but he is addressed and called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“So, from now on, I am Asiwaju Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya”, the Asiwaju of Ibesheland affirmed.
Yeye Asiwaju Olusanya, also speaking, was appreciative of the Ibeshe monarch, for the recognition and honour which she said are further charge for them to do more.
“I thank His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, for the honour. This is a long – deserving honour and we want to say a big thank you to him.
“I know that he wants to charge us with more responsibilities and of course, as the Asiwaju has already said, this is a role that we have been playing.
“As Yeye Asiwaju, to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been playing this role but more is now being expected. I love to be around children. I usually feel them and they reciprocate. As the Yeye Asiwaju of Ibesheland and a role model, people will be looking up to me and expecting more”, she said.
Yeye Olusanya said that she will focus on engaging and seeing to the development of children, youths and women.
She added that special attention will also be accorded the girl-child for proper protection and growth, while adding that she will also fully support her husband, the new Asiwaju of Ibesheland, in his new duty.
“In my own capacity as a teacher, I will continue to engage their children and offer assistance in whatever way that we can be of help in terms of education, we will not relent in doing that. We have been doing that anyway because we have always mobilize materials in terms of resources, chairs and others to neighbouring schools and also collaborate with teachers.
“Now, I will continue to engage the community women, children and youths, to ensure that there is real development in the community
“These are some of the roles that I will play as the Yeye Asiwaju and most especially, supporting him (Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya) as my husband, to develop the community
“I will also be drawing the girl -child closer and give them listening ears. I will be listening and mentoring them. It has to do with leadership mindset and setting good examples. I will be talking to the mothers too.
“There will be a forum, may be once in a month or twice in a term, to listen to them and mentor them in other to guide them aright”, she said.
