His Royal Majesty, (HRM), the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, hosted the forum of Ijebu Obas in Lagos State in his palace in Ikorodu.
The forum was established to foster peace and unity among Obas in Ijebuland in the State and to forge a common front through which the goals and aspirations of each member could be achieved.
Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Oba of Igbogbo, who spoke to Oriwu Sun on behalf of other Obas at the forum, disclosed that the forum was constituted to foster peaceful relationship and unity among members and also to establish strong collaboration in promoting the cultural heritage of their respective domain.
According to him, the forum would be used to address challenges facing members and their subjects as it relates to security issues. Oba Kasali further said that the forum would stimulate them to achieve goals and aspirations in their respective towns through genuine and unwavering support for the entire members. He, however, said the forum was not founded to address any perceived shortchanging or to pressurize Government to accede to its demands but to form a common front in addressing various issues affecting them and their people.
The Igbogbo Monarch said they would collaborate with the state government as well as their colleagues in the State in achieving their goals and objectives; thereby, engendering peaceful co-existence in Lagos State. He further revealed that the forum currently has twenty members but the number was expected to rise as more Obas from member divisions would join very soon.
Oba Shotobi, in corroborating Adeboruwa’s statements, described the forum as a unified gathering aimed at engendering peaceful and cordial relationship and collaboration among the Ijebu Obas in Lagos State. He commended the cooperation of the members since the forum was established and the high level of understanding and respect shown for the roots and cultures of each of the respective domains of members. According to Oba Shotobi, their meetings since inception had centered on how to ensure cordial relationship among members and to speak with one voice on issues affecting them and their towns and to put in collective efforts.
Also, Alhaji Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro, Onitedo Oke-Odo of Iwereponland, in a brief interview with Oriwu Sun, expressed profound appreciation to all members for agreeing to the formation of the forum and sought for their further cooperation in achieving the set goals and objectives. He also explained that aside fostering peaceful relationship among members and engendering development in their respective domain, the forum would also be used to drum support for Governor Ambode to move the State forward.
The forum had met three times at the palaces of Onitedo Oke Odo of Iwereponland, Onibeju of Ibeju Lekki and Alara of Epe respectively since its establishment in August this year. The meeting was rounded off with a group photograph session.
Other Obas at the meeting were: Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbinland; Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe Ibeshe; Oba Mufutau Olanrewaju Ogunnukan, Agegbawojo of Odogbawojo Erodo; Oba S.O. Adewale, Olu of Epe; Oba Ganiyu Adegbesan, Onise of Iseland and Oba Tajudeen Afolabi, Oniwereku of Iwereku.