The Anoko/Ogbonyari family, a hitherto unknown family to many on Saturday, April 1, 2017, rocked the entire Ikorodu division as it organized the biggest installation ceremony for a Baale in recent times, similar to the coronation of an Oba.
This family, whose ancestral roots are said to be from Akarigbo’s Sagamu to Ikorodu, have their tentacles from Ikorodu stretching to Gberigbe, near Imota.
With the approval and support of His Majesty Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, this family produced a Baale whose installation shattered known records.
According to traditional watchers, apart from the installation of Kabir Shotobi as Odofin of Ikorodu several years ago which ceremony lasted for over two weeks and which gulped several millions of naira equivalent to the crowning of a first class Oba, no
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu HRM, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at Ikorodu presented a cap and a certificate of appointment to the newly installed Baale of Gberigbe-Owa Akarigbo, Prince Adebayo Atanda Awomodu.
The historic installation ceremony started on Thursday, March 17 when key family heads and members from Ikorodu and Sagamu unanimously endorsed and supported his candidacy for the Baaleship position. The Baale was then presented to Oba Shotobi by his family for his royal blessing and stamp of authority.
The event which was the climax of the installation ceremony took place on Thursday, March 30, 2017, when the trio of Chief Ajose Ajasa Efunowo, Olotu Anoko/Ogbonyari royal family in Ikorodu; Chief Sunday Ogede, secretary of Anoko/Ogbonyari royal family and Chief Akinola Awomodu, Otunba Anoko/Ogbonyari of Ikorodu led other members of the family to the Ayangbure palace to present Prince Adebayo to Oba Shotobi and his Chiefs. The brief event at the pavilion commenced by 1.06p.m with the invitation of Prince Adebayo and is family to meet Oba Shotobi and his chiefs. When they had settled down, the Apena of Ikorodu, Chief Kareem Ore requested that a representative of the family should address the gathering on their mission.
On their behalf, Chief Sunday Ogede said that the entire family of Anoko/Ogbonyari had agreed on the choice of Prince Adebayo as the new Baale of Gberigbe, Owa Akarigbo and they had come to present him to Oba Shotobi and his chiefs for their royal blessings and acceptance.
When the Baale acknowledge the Kabiyesi, he then asked the members of the family if they all endorsed the candidacy of Prince Adebayo and they all answered in the affirmative. The Oba declared a prayer session, during which members of the council in turn prayed for the successful reign of the Baale. The Baale and his family doled out money to appreciate the chief’s gestures.
The prayer session was later rounded off by Oba Shotobi, after which Chief Ajose Ajasa Efunowo gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the family to bring the event to a close.
As requested by Oba Shotobi, Prince Adebayo and his family members, friends and well-wishers returned to the Ayangbure Palace on Saturday, April 1, 2017 for the main installation ceremony.
After paying necessary homages to kabiyesi, Prince Adebayo, took his seat on a mat in front of Oba Shotobi in readiness for the installation proceedings. However, before performing the installation rites on Prince Adebayo, Oba Shotobi once again asked the family if the choice of the new Baale has their support and his choice was instantly re-affirmed by Chief Efunowo and several family members.
Oba Shotobi also praised the family for making a bonafide member of their family the new Baale of Gberigbe Owa-Akarigbo. He urged them to sustain unity to make his reign a success and to shun hypocrites. His Royal Majesty also told the new Baale to always appreciate his family members for unanimously making him the new Baale in order to retain their support. 
He told him to carry everybody along and also respect their views and concerns.
Kabiyesi also advised him not to sell land belonging to deities or forcefully taking over lands belonging to his family members or those lawfully procured by residents of the community.
Oba Shotobi also implored the new Baale to use his reign to bring unprecedented development to Gberigbe-Owa Akarigbo in the area of establishing primary and secondary schools, hospital and other infrastructural facilities to brighten his chances from being upgraded from Baale to a king.
To show his humility, Chief Adebayo prostrated before his family members and promised never to be ungrateful. He also assured Oba Shotobi that he would never bring land grabbers to the community to take over family lands or residents lands.
With these assurances, Oba Shotobi installed Prince Adebayo the new Baale of Gberigbe-Owa Akarigbo by decorating him with a cap and beads to the admiration of the people. After this, family members, guests and well-wishers trooped to the pavilion one after the other to pay the traditional Owo Origba and also doled out money to the Oloris, traditional Chiefs, Baales and palace workers to appreciate them.
Oba Shotobi later called on Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun and Bobaroyin of Ikorodu, whom he earlier described as a huge and loyal friend of the palace, along with Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, to present the certificate of appointment to the new Baale.
After that, the event was rounded off with a vote of thanks by Prince Lookman Awomodu and this was followed by photograph session around 3:53p.m as well as an installation party, where Prince Adebayo and his family treated their guests and well-wishers to a memorable entertainment, which included the serving of assorted foods and drinks.
