After a weeklong of celebrations marked with series of programmes, the 2025 Isiu Day, climaxed with the grand finale outing on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Like the previous editions, this year’s edition of the annual celebration which was rejuvenated under the reign of Oba Olukayode David Raji, JP, the reigning Eweye of lsiu who was enthroned in 2020, featured a weeklong programme of events, including the usual ones among which were unveiling of the official Ankara attire, Cultural Day, Education Day, Market Men and Women/Artisan Day, and Free Medical check-up among others.
As usual, the highlight of this year’s programme of events anchored by the executives of the Isiu Development Association (ISEDASS), was the series of educative competitions designed to promote academic excellence among school children in various primary and secondary schools in the ancient community.
The competitions, which was held earlier in the week at LG Primary School, Isiu, featured scholarship contests and quiz segments across primary and secondary school categories.
In the Scholarship Category, Bamtoks College emerged as the overall winner, with Copeland College securing second place. Odongunyan Senior Grammar School and Great Kezino College shared third position, showcasing the vibrant academic spirit among schools in the region.
The Kahoot Quiz Competition saw young learners demonstrate exceptional intelligence and quick thinking. Farm Settlement Primary School took first place, while Anglican Akanun and Copeland Nursery and Primary School came second and third respectively. For the junior secondary level, Bamtoks College continued its impressive streak by winning first position, followed by CTFEC International and Maya Junior Secondary School.
The competition, chaired by Alhaja Odumbo Monsurat and coordinated by Adeyemi Habeeb Adesanya, reflected the Eweye’s continued emphasis on youth empowerment and education.
According to ISEDASS, the academic competitions were aimed at building a generation of knowledgeable and responsible citizens who will contribute meaningfully to the growth of Isiu Kingdom and beyond.
However, on that Saturday, the celebrations reached the crescendo with the a memorable grand finale which recorded an impressive attendance of indigenes and residents of lsiu, as well as eminent personalities, various clubs, association and groups, most of whom were elegantly dressed in the official Ankara attire for this year’s celebrations.
It was a befitting outing dotted with joy, fun, excitement, cultural displays and colourful atmosphere as His Royal Majesty, Oba Olukayode David Raji, JP, led some of his royal colleagues, guests as well as indigenes and residents of the ancient town to the open ground of the LG Primary School, lsiu, after the event was shifted from the site of the new Eweye palace being bankrolled by High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Odofin of lkorodu Kingdom, due to the massive construction works ongoing there.
As early as 9am on that day, residents, guests and members of various clubs and associations in lsiu and beyond, had started trooping to the venue where various canopies, chairs and tables had been arranged and tagged with fliers bearing names of different clubs, associations and families, expected to occupy them.
Around 1pm, the venue had been filled up an electrifying crowd, and the event commenced immediately after the royal arrival of the Eweye, his wives and entourage.
Joining the Eweye and his people to share the joy of the day were several royal fathers and notable dignitaries among which were Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, HRM, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM, Oba Basiru Aremu Shotonwa, The Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Adesegun Ebenezer Oyiri, Oloshoroki of Oshoriki, Lekki and HRM, Oba Alamu Oloyede Kehinde, Onikosi of Ikosi who was represented by his chiefs, among others.
The Chairman of the Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ameen Apanisile, also led a powerful delegation of the council to identify with the Kabiesi and the people of lsiu, at the auspicious occasion which was chaired by Otunba Akinola Awomodu, the Otunba Anoko-Ogboyari of lkorodu and Remoland who was represented by his brother, Chief Lookman Awomodu.
Also in attendance were various social and cultural groups like Omo Oke Parapo of Isiu Ikorodu, Egbe Bobaselu of Isiu Kingdom, Obayori Obirin Eweye Isiu, Egbe Gbobaniyi Isiu, as well as institutions and trade associations such as the Local Government Primary School, Isiu Grammar School, the Lagos State Central Sand and Granite Suppliers Association (Isiu Unit), and the Nigerian Association of Hairdressing, Barbing and Cosmetologists (NASCHO) Isiu Zone. Prominent families like the Odumbo, Etiko Royal (Owolabi/Sofuye), and Meruadenuigbo Aroyewun Akinyemi, along with the WAABCO Group, also showed strong representation.
Apart from speeches delivered by Oba Raji and other guests, the events also featured presentations of various awards to several individuals by ISEDASS, in recognition of their immense contributions to the development of lsiu community.
The awardees were Mr Oladapo Adesumbo Aina, JP, Dr Haruna Oladunni Ishola Balogun, Asiwaju Micheal Olawale Ogunbela, Deaconess Elizabeth Awolesi Grillo, Imam Abubakri Muhammed Raji Al – Mufti, Olalekan Owolegbon, Chief Ifagbemi Buraimoh, the Araba of Isiu, Rev. Babatunde Matthew Tijani, Chief Suraju Sikiru, Chief Adeleke Oladeinde, and Chief Richard Banwo, Kingsmen Association, Isiu Kingdom (Egbe Gbobaniyi), Egbe Obayori, Egbe Bobakeye and the Nigeria Union of Tailors, lsiu Branch.
Awards and prizes were also presented to schools for their brilliant performances during the various academic activities held during the weeklong celebration.
It was fun galore and entertainment galore all through, with ISEDASS, various clubs, families and associations among others, ensured that their respective guests had a great moment, as they served them various sumptuous meals and drinks of all kinds, while the fuji artiste and his band on the bandstand consistently dished out great songs for the enjoyment of the entire gathering, till late in the evening when curtain was drawn.
Meanwhile, Oba Raji, in his royal address, Eweye of Isiu, Oba Raji in his royal remarks, said that his kingdom has witnessed massive transformation in his five years reign compared to what it was in over 300 years when it lacked a monarch.
The royal father called for unity, cooperation and peace among his people while also charging them to continue to work for the progress and development of the town.
He also commended the government at all levels for their developmental projects in Isiu.
The executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Ameen Apanisile, congratulating the Eweye and residents of Isiu on the successful celebration, thanked Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN, the Baba Oba of Isiu, Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, Senator representing Lagos East and Rep. Babajimi Benson, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, for their efforts towards the development of Ikorodu North.
He assured residents that his administration will continue to embark on programmes and projects that are impactful to the people, adding that what he has been able to achieve in 100 days are attestations.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the day, Otunba , Awomodu expressed admiration for Oba Raji’s visionary leadership and commitment to grassroots development.
He pledged continued support for community-driven projects, and called on the well-meaning sons and daughters of Isiu, to contribute actively to the development of the town.
Also, Alhaji Fatai Kolawole Olayiwola, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), while speaking briefly at the well attended event, congratulated and commended the monarch and entire Isiu residents for improvement in the annual celebration.
Earlier, Otunba Folagbade Musa Banwo, Chairman, ISESDASS, in his welcome address, said that the theme of this year’s edition of lsiu Day celebration, reflected the challenges and triumph of Isiu in the recent past and the resolution to forge ahead in rebuilding the community collectively.
“The theme for this year’s celebration, “Rebuilding Bonds, Rekindling Dreams,” perfectly captures the spirit of what Isiu represents at this moment in our history. For many years, our community has weathered storms — moments of disunity and misunderstanding that threatened to erode the foundation of our togetherness.
“Yet, like the proverbial palm tree that bends but never breaks, the spirit of Isiu has endured. Our people have held onto hope. And today, through collective efforts and the visionary leadership of our Royal Father, HRM Oba Olukayode David Raji, JP, the Eweye of Isiu Kingdom, we are rising again — stronger, wiser and more united.”
Explaining the concept further, he said:
“Rebuilding Bonds: The first part of our theme, “Rebuilding Bonds,” is not merely an aspiration — it is a movement. It represents the deliberate efforts we are making as a people to heal wounds, bridge divides and restore the social fabric that once held us together as one family under God and under the Eweye throne.
“Over the past year, ISEDASS, working in partnership with the Eweye Palace and its Executive Committee (EXCO), has engaged in a number of initiatives aimed at rekindling unity within our community. We have re-established dialogue among various interest groups, reached out to those who once felt alienated and built new channels of collaboration among our youths, our elders and our traditional institutions.
“In rekindling dreams, which is the second part of the theme, Otunba Banwo said that it, “speaks to our collective future — a future where Isiu is not defined by its challenges, but by its possibilities. We believe that every child in Isiu should have the opportunity to dream, to learn, to grow and to contribute meaningfully to the development of our town. We believe that our artisans, traders, teachers, farmers and professionals can all thrive when unity and vision drive our development”.
The ISESDASS Chairman pledged that the association will continue to mobilise stakeholders and residents for the overall development of Isiu.
“To this end, ISEDASS has continued to advocate for and support initiatives that promote education, youth empowerment, health and culture. In partnership with key stakeholders, we have launched mentorship programmes, skill acquisition drives and educational support efforts to give our young people renewed hope.
“We are proud to say that the spirit of volunteerism and communal contribution is once again alive in Isiu. We envision an Isiu where our cultural heritage becomes a tool for economic growth — where our festivals attract visitors, our crafts generate income and our collective identity becomes a source of pride and prosperity.”
He, however, charged residents to ensure that the celebration did not just end, rather, Otunba Banwo enjoined them to let it renew their commitment towards the development of Isiu.
The highlight of the event was when Oba Raji stormed the dance floor in the company of his wives, other Obas, his chiefs and several guests who sprayed him naira notes as he danced royally while his praises were being sang by the musician on the bandstand.
Others at the event were Alhaji Wale Kazeem, Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, Executive Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Parks Management and Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, Education Secretary, LGEA, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA and Hon. Sunday Benson Ayodele, Chairman Imota LCDA.