Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the humble, modest and loving king, is always willing to carry his subjects along in all things, including policy making and execution of decision taken.
He is also an Oba, who does not like to offend his people except when it is inevitable; hence, he is greatly admired by many.
On Friday, February 26, 2016, Oba Shotobi invited Ikorodu elites, Obas and chiefs, industrialists and other influential personalities to his palace for a dinner which lasted between 5:00pm and 9:00pm.
Like he did after his October/November trip to the United States of America last year, he was eager to explain to them the reasons behind the decision to install Chief (Dr.) Robert Brown with an important chieftaincy title “Pillar of Ikorodu kingdom” and how he met various business groups of interest including Duke Energy, which is one of the biggest providers of electricity in America. According to Oba Shotobi, he is exploring the possibility of this group helping Ikorodu people to get electricity.
Oba Shotobi briefed the gathering about the presence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who sent a representative, and the Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly at the chieftaincy installation in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Also, he told them how Chief (Dr.) Robert Brown sent one hundred thousand textbooks for primary and secondary schools in Ikorodu and how his statue was unveiled at the International Civil Rights Center/Museum as well as the Vanguard Award he received from the Civil Right Center.
Below is the text of the Kabiyesi’s speech at the dinner.
About four months ago, on the 24th November, 2015, 1 invited Ikorodu Eminent Personalities to my palace to render a report of my August 2015 trip to the USA and London and I promised to convey the meeting ‘periodically at least twice in a year or as the occasion demands’. I have considered it expedient to invite you all again for another briefing on some of the matters arising from the first interaction and some new developments.
For the purpose of clarity, I wish to reiterate the overall objectives of this meeting as I mentioned in the first briefing which are:
- To establish effective communication between the Palace and all categories of citizens and residents of Ikorodu as a means to promote mutual understanding, accommodation, tolerance, peace and prosperity.
- To stimulate buy-in of the Ikorodu Model City Project vision, and cultivate your commitment to the project.
In my previous briefing, I identified two low hanging fruits as deliverables within our grasp.
They are:
- The donation of 100,000 volumes of books for public primary and secondary schools in Ikorodu by Booksmart International.
- The construction of ‘The King’s Library & Youth Development Center’- a project to be donated by Dr. Robert Brown and his friends. The library’s component will include reading room, e-library, 100-capacity auditorium, cyber café and a museum.
In the report I sent to His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in November 2015 on the
same subject, I sought for the Governor’s approval for the following actions:
- Distribution of the books to public primary and secondary schools in Ikorodu.
- Establishment of a committee of the Ministry of Education, SÜBEB, Local Education District and the Palace to receive and handle the distribution plan of the books.
- Establishment of a committee of the Ministries of Works, PP&UD, Lands, Education and the Palace to work on the proposed King’s Library & Youth Development Center.
- Exploration of the opportunities in North Carolina Universities, IBM’s Africa Skills Initiative, and LEADing Africa students’ exchange and empowerment programs.
- Exploration of the feasibility of the aquaponic technology to enhance food chain production.
- Representatives of Lagos State government to be part of the delegation for the January 2016 ceremonies and meeting with the Governor of North Carolina.
I am happy to report that I received positive response on items 1, 2 & 6. On the 21st January, 2016, the books donated by Booksmart International were delivered to the Palace and they are kept in the basement of the pavilion as we speak. In response to our communication to the Lagos State Ministry of Education to take on the responsibility to receive and distribute the books to public schools within my domain, a joint committee between the Palace and the Ministry of Education has been put together. In no distant future, I will be calling on some of you for the formal handover of the books to the government before distribution to the schools.
It is encouraging to note that the promoter and Chief prospective donor of ‘The King’s Library & Youth Development Center,’ Chief (Dr.) Robert J. Brown (The Alatilehin of Ikorodu Kingdom), sent three versions of architectural designs to my Palace for consideration and to pick a choice. I like to report to you that due to the expertise required to evaluate the designs and similar components in the Ikorodu Model City Project (IMCP), I have constituted and inaugurated (IMCP) Implementation Committee under the leadership of Sir. Engr. (Chief) Olukayode Shoderu. I expect result from the committee without undue delay in due course in order to keep up with the momentum of the interest already generated both locally and in the North Carolina, USA community on the Project. Though, I am aware that the committee is not relenting, but there are still a lot to be done. For your information, there are two prominent projects I expect the Committee to act on quickly. They are the Library and the Palace extension Projects.
On the 24th January, 2016, 1 returned to North Carolina USA specifically to:
- Receive tribute from Sit-in Movement Inc., Greensboro and attend the unveiling of my statue at the Museum, and
- To install Dr. Robert J. Brown as the Alatilehin of Ikorodu Kingdom.
I want to use this medium to send my profound appreciation to the Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who in response to my invitation, sent three prominent members in the persons of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader, Hon. Wale Raji and Babajimi Benson to attend all the events.. Also I appreciate the Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Sobaloju of Ikorodu who sent a delegation comprising Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun, the Deputy Speaker,;Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, the Majority Leader; Hon. Nurudeen Sholaja and three other members.
Please permit me at this juncture to mention for recognition and appreciation the sacrifice and support of the following oldies, who in spite of inconvenience of travelling long distance due to age, still strained themselves in the service of our community. Amongst these age brackets are: Aremo and Ayamo Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Alhaja Eluku, Alhaja Akinpelu, and Alhaji & Alhaja Sikiru Ibuowo. My gesture is not to demean the contributions and support of the young and more able bodied Chiefs, sons and daughters of Ikorodu, and friends, who I equally appreciate. I am indeed grateful to all Ikorodu eminent people, chiefs, sons and daughters, who accompanied me to all the events for enacting the convivial spirit of the Ikorodu penchant for social interaction and friendliness. I thank you all. Ori Ade agbe yin.
Apart from the social engagements, my delegation also interacted with high profile businesses, NGOs and government institutions, amongst which include the governor of North Carolina, IBM Research Park personnel, Duke Energy, B & C Associates International, and other Business Organizations.
On the 26th January 2016, my delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of North Carolina, Mr. Patrick Lloyd McCrory in his office at Raleigh. I am happy to report that His Excellency, the Governor, found time within his busy schedules to receive my delegation in his office and facilitated useful discussion with the assemblage of critical investors’ representatives in North Carolina. My delegation was informed about North Carolina comparative advantage in poultry and energy. The outcomes of the meeting are the opportunities to promote Foreign Direct Investment and bilateral trade.
On the 27th and 28th of January 2016, we visited the IBM Research Park at Charlotte. Being a research institute, the experience from the interaction was academic. We were educated about research works on innovations and new technologies for tomorrow solutions in all facets of life, be it office work space, medical, education, security, data processing, traffic
control, cloud management, and many more. Of particular interest to us are the opportunities for African students’ capacity initiative and the LEADing Africa students’ exchange with tertiary institutions, which we intend to pass on to tertiary institutions in Lagos State through the Governor’s office.
The 29th of January, 2016 was the day Ikorodu honoured and installed Dr. Robert John Brown as the Alatilehin of Ikorodu. I am obliged to inform you that all the opportunities made available to my delegation and the meetings we held were all facilitated by Chief (Dr.) Brown. In consideration of the role he played in my early life and many more, he continued to play to promote prosperity of Ikorodu, I think he is worthy of the honour we have done him. The investiture night showed a display of our culture, and the convivial spirit of the Ikorodu penchant for social interaction and friendliness. It was a night of blissful social interaction which was profoundly enjoyed by all attendees. I believe the ceremony will go a long way to reinforce goodwill and friendship between us, which can be a store of value from which Ikorodu people can access global resources.
The programme of the 30th January was in two parts, and each one was as amazing as it was historic. The first event was the unveiling of my statue in the ICRC Museum. Standing to receive me into the Museum was the only surviving Greensboro Four Member, Mr. Joseph McNeil, who started the sit-in resistance against white-only lunch counter at Woolworth Greensboro. By the time I was led to see where my exhibits were displayed, I was filled with a mixture of amazement and appreciation. I felt the Ayangbure of Ikorodu could not have been more honoured being the only African King, whose exhibits, town and people have become permanent features of the Center. As I stood among men and women, who made history, created path and offered their shoulders for next generation to build on, I felt proud as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and I am sure the same feelings went through all members of my delegation. According to Amelia Parker, the former Museum Director, “…collaboration with Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi of Nigeria helps people to connect with their history and preserve their cultures”.
In the evening of the same day, my delegation attended the Gala, which was organized by the Board of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum to honour me with Vanguard award and other honorees. The highlight of the night was when I was invited to the podium, where my citation was read by Chancellor of North Carolina A & T State University, Prof. Harold Martin, after which members of the Board joined me on the podium for the presentation of the award trophy. It was an epoch-making ceremony, which I cannot forget in a hurry.
I am sure both events will facilitate futuristic boost of the Nigeria-USA relationship in general and with North Carolina Community in particular. History has been made, and very soon I will not be surprised to see tourists, researchers, and investors visiting Ikorodu to explore opportunities we can offer. We should create the structures and institutions to embrace the visitors when they come, and the like of the Nigeria Chamber for Commerce and Industry, Ikorodu Chapter would be expected to play a pivotal role.
My final engagement came on the 1st February, 2016, when I went with select members of the delegation to the Headquarters of Duke Energy in Charlotte to explore ideas on FDI in the Lagos State energy sector. At the end of the meeting, the President of Duke Energy, NC Mr. Lloyd Yates, promised to present our discussion at their next Management Board meeting, after which he will communicate their decision to us.
My dear people, you will agree with me that the outcomes of my trips to USA and London since my coronation have generated prospective benefits, which would need to be explored further for actualization. It was for this reason that the Ikorodu Model City Project
Implementation Committee was inaugurated. The books that were already delivered to the palace are just a tip of the iceberg of what a good relationship with our North Carolina friends can facilitate.
Finally, I want to thank all the people of Ikorodu, who have entrusted me with leadership, and I pledge to commit all my strength, goodwill, substance, time, and space to the service of our people with the focus to usher into Ikorodu unprecedented prosperity, growth and development. But I cannot single handedly accomplish the vision without your support. I, therefore, will welcome your ideas, suggestions, counsel, and support at all time. Please do not hesitate to visit me on critical issues bordering on this vision anytime.
I thank you all for coming.
Ikorodu Oga, Ajuse.
Ori Ade agbe yin.