On Sunday, November 26, 2017, the ancient town of Igbogbo was the destination of the who is who in the community, Ikorodu and other parts of the State as traditional rulers from Ikorodu, Ibeshe, Imota, Egbin, including the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba, Otunba Gani Adams, lawmakers and other eminent people, stormed Igbogbo town to celebrate with His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali Orimadegun, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo kingdom, on the occasion of the first year anniversary of his coronation as the King of Igbogbo and the grand finale of a ten day long line-up of activities designed to bring out a new phenomenon for Igbogbo, (Igbogbo Day Celebration).
The event, which took place at the Igbogbo township stadium, showcased the achievements of the Monarch since his ascension to the revered stool. It was a day the people of Igbogbo would never forget in a hurry as politicians, Royal Fathers and numerous notable personalities descended Igbogbo town to celebrate with the profound and prolific Lawyer and King. The Monarch mingled with ease among his esteemed guests, stylishly attired in brown traditional agbada with a cap balanced delicately on his head. He was a picture of poise as he smiled elegantly throughout the event.
Since he became the Oba of Igbogbo, he has ensured better life for his people. He settled community disputes, sustained peace and unity among his people, ensured the presence of the present State Government administration in the community in terms of developmental projects and putting in place security as well as educational arrangements, which over the years appeared to have been neglected. No doubt, the king is the man ordained by God.
While speaking at the event, Otunba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, felicitated with Oba Semiudeen Kasali on the occasion of his First Year Coronation Anniversary and the success recorded so far in Igbogbo town. He described the people of Igbogbo as friendly, loving, very accommodating and people, who have great love for their town and their King. He commended Oba Kasali for ensuring that peace and unity reign among the people of Igbogbo and called for spirit of continuity in ensuring that Igbogbo attain greater heights and serve as a living example to other communities.
Otunba Gani Adams called on traditional rulers in Ikorodu division and Lagos State in general to form alliance to eradicate the menace of insecurity experienced in Ikorodu and all other parts of the state. In his words, “It is a celebration of great achievements and new beginning for the people of Igbogbo kingdom. The Kabiyesi needs everyone’s support in order to take Igbogbo to greater heights because he is a King, who has proven that he is capable of ruling his town. I pray God continues to help him. I want all other Kabiyesi’s in Ikorodu and other eminent personalities to work hand in hand to help Adeboruwa achieve greater heights and accomplishments in Igbogbo.”
While speaking with Oriwu Sun, Honourable Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the event, said Oba Kasali is a blessing to Igbogbo town, which is evident in the series of developments witnessed in Igbogbo town within a short time. He appreciated the people for their choice of King because, “He is very loving, caring and a gentleman with a good heart,” he concluded.
In her own words, Honourable Adebimpe Nosimot Akinsola, the Acting Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism, “Today marks the one year coronation anniversary of Oba Kasali, who since his enthronement on November 24, 2016, has shown that there would be a lot of development in Igbogbo, considering his academic pedigree, exposure as well as the support of some sons and daughters of Igbogbo, including myself.” She, however, thanked His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, for his laudable efforts in Igbogbo in terms of road infrastructure and other developmental projects, and seized the opportunity to seek for more of such.
In his Royal message, Oba Semiudeen Kasali enjoined all sons and daughters of Igbogbo to look inward into their capabilities and project themselves and the kingdom to the world as global players in economy, politics, sports, music and other forms of human endeavours. He charged them to exploit the latent talents in them. He acknowledged the unprecedented involvement of Igbogbo youth in the edition of Igbogbo day and commended the Coronation Anniversary Committee for putting up a good show by working in the interest of an appreciative community to immortalize a year of comforting achievements, which gave hope for the attainment of an Igbogbo of everyone’s dream.
The monarch described the Igbogbo Day Celebration as an annual celebration, which is aimed at bringing the people of Igbogbo kingdom together for further development of the community for the betterment of all.
“Today’s Igbogbo Day Celebration coincides with my first coronation anniversary. All my people are around today to thank God for what is being experienced within the community in terms of peace and tranquility and the presence of government in terms of intervention project of the present administration. I thank God for the benevolence of the project, which by the time it is completed, people will benefit and it would open up this community for many other things in terms of social and economic development.”
“My first objective is the development of Igbogbo and the entire Ikorodu division as a whole. There is nothing to 
gain if a leader refuses to work with leaders of other communities. The major benefit of working with other traditional rulers in this division is the peace experienced in the whole division; other infrastructural developments would follow,” he concluded. He, however, expressed his profound and sincere appreciation to members of Igbogbo Planning Committee, traditional Chiefs in Igbogbo, Lawmakers in Igbogbo, Executives of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Indigenes of Igbogbo and others, for their invaluable contribution towards the success of the Igbogbo Day Celebration and his First Year Coronation Anniversary.
On his own part, the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Comrade Daini Olusesan, reiterated his administration’s commitment to support the traditional institutions within the Local Council as critical stakeholders in the growth and development of Igbogbo. “Our traditional institutions play significant roles in ensuring that the interest of their subjects is taken care of by the government while the spirit of co-operation, communal living and peaceful co-existence, for which the people are known for, are preserved,” he said.
He enjoined the people of Igbogbo to continue to be peaceful, security conscious, to keep the environment clean and try as much as possible to be law abiding. He appreciated the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee for organizing befitting events culminating to the main event while personally congratulating Oba Kasali and wishing him more fruitful years on the exalted throne of his forefathers.
The Obateru of Egbin, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, equally congratulated Oba Semiudeen Kasali and the people of Igbogbo community for the success of the Igbogbo Day Celebration and the First Year Coronation Anniversary of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo. He commended the effort of the King in sustaining peace in the town. According to him, “The era of Adeboruwa brought about peace and has killed the era of conspiracy. Oba Kasali is a unifying force and has ended the era of bad times. It is high time the people of Igbogbo discovered their individual potentials and worked towards achieving an enviable and successful community, which other communities would emulate.”
In Ranodu Agoro, Oba of Imota land’s words, “We are here from different communities representing our forefathers. We have made up our minds to be brothers and that is why we are here to celebrate with the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo on the first coronation anniversary of his coronation. We are most elated to be part of this occasion. We pray to God that He grants him many years on earth and a long reign on the throne of this forefathers,” he concluded.
The event also featured presentation of Adeboruwa Royal Merit Awards to Dr. Abdul-Fatai Ademola and Pa Taiwo Olanrewaju Adeyemi, two great sons of Igbogbo, who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the kingdom. Donations were also made by Honourable Akinloje Babatunde, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba, Honourable Oshin and Pa Olowu towards the development of Igbogbo kingdom.
The glamorous event was rounded off with the performance of popular Fuji musician, Sule Alao Malaika as the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, his two wives and Obateru of Egbin took to the stage to display dance steps as people of Igbogbo cheered them on. The different exciting colours of the beautiful attires worn by people and different associations at the event gave the fun filled event a colourful atmosphere.
Dignitaries at the event included, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, ably represented by Hon. Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Hon. Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; Otunba Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfor Yorubaland; Father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adewale Osiberu, Elepe of Epe, Sagamu, Ogun State; Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, acting Commissioner, Art, Culture and Tourism; Comrade Olusesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA; Sir Kola Ogunkoya, President, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA); Honourable Nurudeen Saka Solaja, member, House of Assembly, representing Ikorodu Constituency II; Chief Monzor Kolawole Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun Newspaper; Hon. Babajimi Benson; Hon Sanai Agunbiade, Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly; Oba Ranodu of Imota; Olubeshe of Ibeshe land, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya; Obateru of Egbin, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo; Ojora of Ojora and Iganmu Kingdom, Oba Fatai Aromire Oyegbami; Prince Seye Ogunlewe, former Minister of Works; traditional Chiefs and Baales; Indigenes and Residents of Igbogbo, among others.
