Few weeks after leading members of his reputable family, the Anoko-Ogboyari Royal family of Ikorodu, to provide befitting burial for the head (Olotu) of the family in lkorodu, the effervescent Otunba Anoko-Ogboyari of Ikorodu and Remoland, Otunba Akinola Awomodu, again, led from the front as the family organised royal burial for another notable member of the family, Chief Mutairu Adisa Ademola Odesanya, Baale Itunmori, Ikorodu.
Late Odesanya, who hailed from the Owolana Ogbonyari branch of the Anoko-Ogboyari royal family, joined his ancestors on April 27, 2023, at the age of 96.
According to family sources, the revered community leader was consequently buried on the same day of his death in accordance with the royal traditional rites, as requested while he was alive.
Also, on the third day of Chief Odesanya’s burial, another royal traditional rites was performed as members of his family and sympathisers converged on his residence at Itunmori clan of the Anoko-Ogbonyari royal family, in Ikorodu, to pay their last respect to him.
The burial rites, however, climaxed on the 13th day (Wednesday, May 11, 2023), as a grand reception party was held at the Adeniran Ogunsanya Compound, Grammar School, Oke Ota-Ona, Ikorodu to round off the burial event.
Like every other outing of the family, there was impressive turnout of family members from Ikorodu, led by Otunba Akinola Awomodu, while those from Sagamu were led by Chief Adeyinka Adesanya, the Otunba Akogun Akarigbo Anoko-Ogboyari, and accompanied by the Staff of Office of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adewale Ajayi.
The venue of the reception party had several canopies which accommodated the deceased’s children, family members and their respective guests who were treated a five star entertainment as there were more than enough sumptuous delicacies and assorted drinks to go round, while the Disc Jockey (DJ) contracted was at his imperial best, dishing out various songs which ensured there was no dull moment till the curtain was drawn around past 7pm.
The party also presented the children and family members of the deceased, the rare opportunity to relate and have fun moment together, while they also had marathon photograph session among themselves and with their guests, to keep the memory of the event alive.
Meanwhile, Chief Lookman Awomodu, Baale Awomu Owode and a key member of the Anoko-Ogbonyari royal family, in an interview with Oriwu Sun, described Chief Odesanya as one of the illustrious sons of Anoko-Ogbonyari royal family in Ikorodu and Remoland.
He explained that the deceased, whom he said became Baale of Itunmori in the 80s, was a custodian of the family’s history, having witnessed three generations of the family.
Chief Lookman Awomodu particularly expressed his happiness that he knew the deceased, related well with him and learnt a lot from him, relative to settling of crisis within the family.
He explained that the family held the late Baale, in high esteem because of his active role in the family, both in Ikorodu and Sagamu, which, according to him, spanned over 20 years, while adding the large turnout by family members at the reception party was a reflection of the love and respect he commanded in the family.
Another member of the family, Chief Adewale Oshomeku Ogbonyari, also said that the late Baale of Itunmori, was one of the oldest Baales in Ikorodu, and that he used his position to played a vital role in sustaining the unity of Anoko-Ogbonyari royal family in Ikorodu and Sagamu, while alive.
He explained that the deceased was a peace-loving man who ensured that his domain was always peaceful despite being a very notorious environment.
While describing Chief Odesanya as a truthful person who never shied away from speaking the truth all the time, he said that he and other family members would emulate his truthfulness in order to leave same good legacy for generations coming after them.
Also, Mr. Tajudeen Alabi Odesanya, the first child of the deceased, while speaking briefly with our reporters, described his father as an intelligent man who was well known within the Anoko-Ogbonyari in Ikorodu and Sagamu, for his role as a unifier.
He also described him as a peace lover who always settle disputes in the family, and used his wisdom and life experience to put people on the right path.
Tajudeen said that he and his three siblings (Taofeek, Rukayat and Falilat) would miss the deceased’s fatherly role, and prayed that God should grant him eternal rest.