Q: How long have you been the Ojora of Ijora?
A: I was installed as the Ojora of Ijora on June 5, 1994.
Q: Since you ascended the throne, there has been peace in your kingdom, but recently, somebody declared himself the new king. What is responsible for that?
A: Nobody has been elected and I am the only paramount ruler of Ijora and Iganmu. He was just impersonating but he has been arrested. It is a criminal case and it is now between him and the state government.
Q: Was your kingdom given extension to certain place in Ijora, which forced other people to clamour for their own kingdom and King?
A: Those stories are false. In 1990, the federal government approached the then Chief Ojora of Lagos, Chief AjayiOjora, seeking to acquire the former palace to be put into public use and the family agreed and released the land to them. However, the family went back to the federal government and made it clear that they wouldn’t leave all their lands to the government. Based on that, the government agreed to give them tittle on the land for 999 years, which they must sign.
Then, it was late Chief Olugbode, who signed the agreement, and he was the first person to use this palace, which was built in 1920. It was the federal government that brought the Brazilians, who built this palace as a gift for the Ijora family for agreeing to release their land. So, how could someone come out and say that Ijora land belongs to their family. The state government has gazetted the Supreme Court judgement that gave us the power over Iganmu, which I have been given a copy of.
Q: Which other towns make up Ijora and Iganmu kingdom?
A: As for Ajegunle and some part of Apapa, the government has made it clear that it is Ojora, who owns the land. It was gazetted that we own Iganmu and its environs. When we went to court in 1972, it was published in the Daily Times that anybody, who has interest in this case, should appear. No one appeared except the Iganmu people and we won the case at the high court. They later appealed and we appealed too and we won at the Supreme Court. Even the tenants went back to courts, starting from high court and we won again. We then had about two to three judgements on Iganmu.
Q: You are one of the popular Obas in Lagos State and you have been described as being kind, emotional, very helpful and a supportive person. Is that a political gimmick on your part or is it natural?
A: It is natural because I used to tell people that any money or wealth given to me by God, which I won’t be able to give to other people, he should take it away from me. I am here for a purpose and that’s why I do stay outside. I am not the type of traditional ruler that stays indoor. I am here on this throne because of my subjects and I have to attend to them. If you witnessed my birthday, the first day, I went to the motherless babies’ home to give them some items. I invited all the handicapped and widows on the second day. That was on December 30, 2016 to January 1, 2017. I also commissioned my ancestral home because the building had been there for more than two hundred years. So, I had to rebuild it for the family.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My hobby is to always be with my subjects.
Q: We noticed that some Obas have many Oloris in their palaces but in your own case, you have only one, what is the reason behind it?
A: I had up to five Oloris before but some are late and I divorced some of them. But presently, I have only my first wife and I don’t think I need another wife for now because I want to concentrate on my duties to my subjects.
Q: What is your advice to Lagos State on its 50th anniversary this year?
A: They should touch and reach every corner of Lagos state because the state needs so many things. I suggest that street trading should be abolished because Lagos is congested. In terms of the 50th anniversary, let them mobilize every local government and bring all the Chairmen and every other person together to celebrate it.
Q: How can you describe Governor Ambode?
A: I have known Ambode before he became the Governor. He always keep to his words. The Governor is a very intelligent person and his records have shown that. I urge everyone in Lagos to support the state government to succeed.
Q: According to a source, Oba Akiolu is a strict disciplinarian; what is your own view about him?
A: People seem not to understand Oba Akiolu. He is my uncle and my pillar. Oba Akiolu hates people telling lies and he doesn’t want you to deceive him. Maybe those people saying all those falsehood didn’t know him at all.
Q: You are one of the sons of AsiwajuTinubu; what can you say about Jagaban?
A: May God save AsiwajuTinubu from the hands of traitors because they have betrayed him already. Tinubu has done a lot for the Yorubas. He opened our eyes and contributed to our having a say at the federal level and he did it with his own money. We, the Yorubas, are so funny and we easily forget the past. I didn’t expect what Fayose said about Tinubu and I was opportune to read the paper, where he said good things about him.
Q: Why have you developed much interest in Oba KabiruShotobi? What is the secret of the relationship between both of you?
A: My grandmother was from Ikorodu at Igbogbo and Isawo. So, we are related with the present Oba of Ikorodu. I have known him for a long time. It was the former Oba of Ikorodu, Oba SalaudeenOyefusi that introduced him to me. The Oba even said in my presence when he was alive that, “It seems it is Shotobi that would ascend this throne after I’m gone.” I could remember when Shotobi was contesting for the post of the Secretary of the Council of Obas and Chiefs. The late Ayangbure called some of us and said he wanted us to support Odofin to become the Secretary of the Council of Obas but I told him immediately that he couldn’t become the Secretary.
I like Oba Shotobi’s style because he is an open-minded person and he doesn’t hide his feelings. He is my senior because he is the Chairman of one zone; so, we have to give him that respect. He is someone who gives others respect and he doesn’t wait for people to greet him first.
Q: Do you belong to any club?
A: That was before. I am now a patron of Accorder Club and so many others.
Q: What is your best food?
A: My best food is eba and vegetable soup.
Q: How do you unwind when you are less busy?
A: I go to clubs, specifically, Royal club, in front of Oba of Lagos Palace. I go there to wine and dine with my friends. Sometimes, they come and visit me too.
Q: What kind of investment do you have in Ikorodu?
A: I have a hotel, (Ashalt Hotel), farm and some estates too. I have my workers there and sometimes, I visit my farm there. I also have a house at Igbe road. I have so many friends in Ikorodu.
Q: Who are your mentors?
A: One of my mentors is Oba of Lagos and I cherish him so much.
Q: You are a very powerful dresser; can you estimate how much you spend on clothes?
A: My designer is the only person that can answer that question.
Q: In view of the fact that you are performing and people are attesting to that, can you tell us the challenges that Ijora and Iganmu kingdom are facing so that government can assist?
A: Concerning the land grabber’s issue, we have our judgement in respect of land-grabbing cases. Before now, we didn’t have security in Iganmu and we were prone to hearing criminal cases all the time, but now, we have twenty four (24) hours security. I don’t condone cultism and I use to arrest them. If I don’t meet them at home, I arrest their parents instead, and no DPO dare release them. So, during my anniversary, I gave the youths two buses to compensate them for their peaceful conduct. I thank the Lagos State government for gazettingIjora and Iganmu.
Q: What can the Lagos state government do to stop the issue of kidnapping, especially of traditional rulers?
A: We, the traditional rulers, need to have internal security. Don’t let us put everything in the hands of the government. I personally have internal security within my domain. My advice to the traditional rulers is that they shouldn’t mingle with the touts outside there.
Q: We learnt that Ijora family don’t sell land, but lease instead. Would the leased land be reclaimed later?
A: Ojora family does not sell land; we lease land, and that is what our forefathers did. We lease our land to interested people for five years and after that, we can take it back from them.
Q: What is your message to the Lagos state government and your subjects?
A: May God be with the Lagos State government and every other person. Let us work hand in hand with the government by supporting them so that we can reap the dividends of democracy.
Q: How many festivals do you have in Ijora and how much do you normally spend on these elaborate festivals?
A: We have one special festival and that is Elegba, which our forefathers have been celebrating from time immemorial. We have other festivals like Ogun, Esu, Ota and Eluku but I can’t say precisely how much is being spent to celebrate them.
Q: Ijora is populated by different ethnic groups. How have you been able to maintain peace within your domain?
A: When I became Ojora, we were having only about eight baales. But during my reign, we have about 43 baales under my domain. And we have about seven local governments in my domain. So I had to summon each baale to order every ethnic group to have a head that would be relating with each of them. If they have any problem, they will liase with the baale. If they can’t resolve it, then they will bring it to me. -That is why today, Ijora is a peaceful place. There is no ethnic grouping, whether Nigerians or non-Nigerians, that are not living under my domain.
Q: How have you been able to engage the youths in Ijora?
A: As I said, before I became king, Ijora was not like this. You see, the people here, if you give them the opportunity to get close to you, they will learn from you. For example, there was somebody arrested for robbery. I had to go to the police station to ensure that the police don’t release him. Before I became king, if somebody is arrested like that, the police would release him. But today, the police understands that I wouldn’t take it, that he has to be made to face the law. They know I am a no nonsense personality and would not do any untoward thing. So, today, people can sleep in peace in Ijora.
Q: How have you been able to resolve the Ijora land dispute?
A: From 1971 to 1972, my predecessor, the late Chief LasisiAjibolaOdunsi took some of our tenants in Iganmu to court because they were not paying their royalties. The case lasted for 37 years. I continued with it and got the first Judgement at the Lagos High Court, which was upheld at the Appeal Court and Supreme Court as well. It was a land mark judgment and was celebrated in the media. So, we called all the families together but some of them came and we settled. But some tenants went back to court and we started again from the High Court and it went through the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court and we won all through the courts. Some started paying their money but some refused. But we went ahead to act in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Q: There was the land issue involving you and one Chief. He alleged that you demolished his house. What do you say about it?
A: I thank God that I am alive today to tell the story. They threatened my life but God is merciful. The Chief, who I call Baba was the one sponsoring my opponent to become Ojora of Lagos. But r don’t think about it again. They took me up to Supreme Court but I won the case too. They also took me to Panti. Now, why did I win the case? He was telling the tenants not to pay us. I called him and asked him what he wanted us to do and he said he doesn’t want to pay. And I said ‘no, baba you have to pay because you are not a member of the Ojora family’. I said ‘you are a tenant and you have to pay’. That was how all this trouble started. He accused me of demolishing his house! In which police station did he report it? Where is the police report? He accused me of committing a crime but where is the police report?
Q: Was his building actually demolished?
A: No. I did not demolish his building. It wasn’t destroyed at all. I am a responsible person. I don’t take laws into my hands. I believe in the rule of law.
Q: Sitting on the throne over a community is not a tea party. How has the journey been in the last 23 years?
A: It is destiny. It is not easy as you have said but I thank God for everything. There has been problems here and there but I thank God, they were all resolved to the satisfaction of everybody. There has been the unfortunate kidnapping of some monarchs but I thank God, I am free. I trek from the palace to different places in Ijora and walk back, nothing happens to me. I am free amongst my people.
Q: Are there areas you want the government to do something for your community?
A: One of the problems I have in this place is erosion. We need government to come in and assist us in this area. Secondly, we don’t have a secondary school and we don’t have a standard hospital. We need a general hospital in Ijora. We have written to the state government about these needs several times and all we get is promises. Let them fulfill their promises to us.
Q: What does a day in your life look like?
A: Well, everyday, I give thanks to God for sparing my life. I enjoy everything God has done for me.
Q: How do you start your day?
A: I start my day with the morning Prayer. After this, go to the gym. Thereafter, I take my bath and thereafter, my breakfast. That is how I start my day.
Q: Your daily activities with your people, what does it look like?
A: When you came in, you met me outside. I attend to my people, lets say from 8am till about 10.00 pm.