A female indigene of Ikorodu division, who participated in the recently concluded popular reality television series, Big Brother Naija (BBN), Season 5 (the lockdown edition), Omotolani Modinat Shobajo, popularly known as Tbaj, on Monday, November 23, 2020, paid a courtesy visit to Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, to seek his blessings for her proposed plans to embark on empowerment mission.
She was accompanied to the Ayangbure palace by her brother, Otunba Olumide Enilolobo Emmanuel Emmanuel.
Tolani precisely hails from Imota area of Ikorodu division but has her family houses are located in Ijomu and Anibaba and her father’s houses in Sholebo Estate and Ebute, all in Ikorodu respectively.
The America-born celebrity, who was among the last 10 housemates to exit the reality show, spent eight years in Ikorodu during which she attended Caleb International College, Magodo, for her Secondary school education before going back to the United States of America (USA) where she studied Health Care Administration for her university education.
While speaking at the palace, she stated that she was visiting Ikorodu to impact and contribute to the development of youths and assist the needy and that she has come to the palace to receive royal blessings in that regard.
“I am visiting the Ayangbure palace to express myself on making an impact in Ikorodu. I grew up in Ikorodu, though, I don’t live here anymore but I still want to make a change here”, she said.
“I feel like using what God has given me to empower people here. I would like to make an impact on the less privileged people and the needy and share what I have with them,” Tolani added.
“I want to establish a training academy that will cater for students after school. At the academy, they can learn one skill or the other. It will also serves those that are not interested in going to school but prefer to acquire skill.
“I also want to do monthly charity, just to make sure that people have something to eat. This will make me happy and those are what we love to do”.
On her tourism agenda, the former BBNaija housemate said that her dream is to place Ikorodu on the global tourism map by promoting water transport tourism.
“To the Africans in America, when they come home in December, Ikorodu is not a place they usually think of going to. I want to put Ikorodu on the map. You can come to Ikorodu by ferry and you don’t necessarily have to come by road”, she said.
“Ferry will be fun. You can record videos and promote it on social media and through that, we can create awareness that people can take ferry to Ikorodu.
“Obas palaces are also another tourist attraction centres in Ikorodu. Now that I have a relationship with the palace, we can come here and do a video with Kabiesi and he can speak with our people abroad and enjoin them to come back home”.
While advising the youths, Tolani said:
“Chase your dream and whatever you want to accomplish in life is very possible. Believe in it and act towards it. Don’t let negative energy break you down. As long as you stay focus, you will be successful”.
Oba Shotobi, in his address, commended Tolani on her decision to come back home and help the less privilege, stating that there are many wealthy people who do not think of such despite having the required wherewithal.
He assured her of availing her the opportunity of meeting and partnering with important socio – cultural groups and individuals as a way of enhancing her empowerment mission.
“It is very considerate of you to come back to impact on Ikorodu”, Oba Shotobi stated while commending Tolani.
“You will have the opportunity of talking to IKODASS and other important bodies that you may partner with regarding your programmes.
“The palace of Ayangbure of Ikorodu will also be inviting you to its programmes and events where you could talk to youths and others”.
Oba Shotobi, while intimating Tolani on his efforts to empower his people, stated that he has been supporting the less privileged in Ikorodu with food items and small scale business owners with interest free loans.
Also, at the visit, Oba Shotobi showed some photographs of an abandoned project at Etunrenren Primary School to his august visitor who in turn asked if she could complete the project and the monarch responded in affirmative.
He equally used the occasion to commend Hon. Babajimi Benson for projects he has facilitated to Ikorodu in terms of roads, school buildings, health and sporting facilities, and charged other illustrious Ikorodu sons and daughters to emulate Tolani and return home to contribute to the development of Ikorodu.
The monarch then gave Tolani his blessings and also prayed for the success of her proposed empowerment programmes and other endeavors and in turn, she presented to Oba Shotobi his giant photograph to commemorate her visit to his palace.
Some of those who supported Oba Shotobi in receiving Tolani were Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun newspaper and Baaroyin of Ikorodu, High Chief Awolesi, the … of Ikorodu, High Chief (Mrs) Afolake Shonubi, the Iyalode of Ikorodu and several Baales.