Ikorodu did not become the 12th largest cityin Nigeria, and third largest in western Nigeria by accident; the illustrious sons and daughters of the coastal city have constantly worked assiduously towards a better Ikorodu.
One of the indigenous non-partisan groups, the Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS), led by the incumbent chairman, Mr. Rotimi Erogbogbo, had special moment with the Ayangbure of Ikorodu on October 12, 2022, at the palace. The event, which was christened, “Business Community Break with the Ayangbure”, was a moment of reflection and review of events in Ikorodu.
The meeting was instituted sometime last year to facilitate like minds on the way forward for the people of Ikorodu. The second edition of the breakfast with the Ayangbure coincided with the acclaimed status of Ikorodu as the third largest city in southwest Nigeria. While it is a thing of joy, the intelligentsias in Ikorodu are aware of the huge tasks before them; how to build a sustainable urban Ikorodu.
Eminent sons ranging from frontline politicians, technocrats, distinguished academics and entrepreneurs gathered at the Ayangburen palace on that morning and were received by courtly-stationed officials, who took attendance, registered participants and handed each participant a carrier pack. Light refreshment of snacks, water and soft drink were packed along with vital documents on the breakfast meeting. At the banquet hall of His Royal Majesty’s abode, the stage was set for the panel of discussant and the interactive session, while the programme went as planned.
The royal host of the event, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, had received his subjects and distinguished guests, richly dressed in royal apparel, the paramount ruler of Ikorodu looked while the anchors unfurled activities of the day. Chairman of IKODASS and convener of the business breakfast meeting, Mr. Rotimi Erogbogbo, in his opening speech, welcomed the audience. He explained that the business meeting is being organized annually to create a two-way platform for entrepreneurs in Ikorodu to discuss way forward in their business activities.
“So, each time you are here, please, give us accurate feedback as per the challenges and obstacles hampering your business operations so that Ikorodu can serve you better. The ones we cannot handle shall be channeled to appropriate authorities for their attention,” he added.
Mr. Erogbogbo reiterated commitment of the people of Ikorodu in supporting business owners who have chosen to carry out lawful businesses in Ikorodu. While speaking on the growth and development of Ikorodu as a modern city, the chairman acknowledged the fact that some challenges are threatening businesses in the city, he assured the audience of the association’s commitment to help alleviate these challenges.
“Whatever you hear about Ikorodu is part of it. A growing city comes with its major challenges and Ikorodu is no exception. New challenges come with growth and being alive,” he said.
Recounting the promise and agenda of the maiden edition of the business forum on 4th of March 2022, Mr. Erogbogbo announced the success of the agendas discussed in that meeting.
“If you were present at that meeting, you would recall that our distinguished chairman, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, at that occasion, talked about plans to institute a revolving loan scheme to help SMSEs in his constituency, as access funds for business. Well, it is no more a plan. It is now a reality.”
He added that the Senator Abiru has mobilised 300 million naira for the scheme and people can easily access from N50, 000 (fifty thousand naira to N1,000, 000 (one million naira loan at just 6% per annum). Beneficiaries are directed to visit the Liaison Office at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat for details.
Using the opportunity to invite investors to partake in the November 2022 Ikorodu-Oga Day Festival, the chairman assure the audience that this year’s edition of the annual celebration which marks the 31st anniversary, promises bigger and exclusive opportunities.
“We are preparing to host well more than the 9000 people who visited the festival last year. As business people, you know, more than anyone else, that once people gather, there is money to be made. Do not be left out. Stands for Ikorodu Market Expo which runs for the duration of the festival, are already on sale,” Erogbogbo said while urging businesses to partake in the Ikorodu Oga Day.
The November mega event features events like Walk for Fitness; Say No To Drugs; Table Tennis Tournament; Market Expo; Woro; Music Concert: Hair and Fashion Show; Miss Ikorodu Beauty Pageant; Medical Mission and many others.
After delivering his speech in precision and grace, the chairman thanked the audience as he was given a warm round of applause.
The anchormen used the interlude to introduce new audience who arrived while the chairman was making his speech. Small and medium business owners were thrilled to be part of the breakfast meeting with the Ayangbure as each and everyone in the hall was introduced and received ham pack.
The chairman of the occasion, Senator Tokunbo Abiru who was represented by his media aide, Mr. Enitan Olukotun, was invited to speak on the event. His representative gently strolled to the podium and greeted the dignitaries, kotowing to the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division, HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi. Mr. Olukotun enthralled audience as he made extemporaneous presentation without reading prepared speech. His memory for details and statistics on the Senators’ projects in the Lagos East Senatorial District mesmerized the audience for the entire time he spoke.
“In his effort to help build Ikorodu, the Senator has included the Ikorodu-Sagamu road construction on the Federal Government Sukuk tab. The road is critical to the growth of Ikorodu as the many industries, schools and estates along that axis need good access road to thrive.”
He recalled how the distinguished Senator Abiru had embarked on many infrastructural projects within a short time he assumed office; listing the Franchise Regulatory Bill sponsored by Senator Abiru and the 160 capacity stadium he built in Epe, Construction of 6 block classrooms in Aga Ikorodu, ongoing 40-bed hospital at Isiwu and laboratories in LASUSTECH that is about to be completed, all within 20 months the Senator assumed office.
Yet, the Senator is currently sponsoring big infrastructural projects like the Agboyi-Ketu hospital and has trained 900 teachers through his SAIL (Senator Abiru Innovation Lab) giving loans to small-scale business owners at 6% per rate. Mr. Olukotun who described Senator Tokunbo Abiru is an accomplished banker who brought his executive skills from the business world into politics and has passion for his constituency.
“To start a hearty conversation with the distinguished Senator, just say something that would help Lagos East Senatorial District grow, and you will have the full attention of the Senator”, Olukotun mentioned.
The media aide was appreciated with resounding round of applause as he concluded his speech and went to his seat. Following that was another speech by a foremost academician, Professor Adetunji Haastrup.
Professor Adetunji, who has excelled as a distinguished scholar in the United Kingdom and the United States, was billed to speak on challenges of urban centres. The professor, who narrated how he was overwhelmed by the news of the Ikorodu ratings as the 12th largest city in Nigeria and third largest city in Southwest Nigeria, said he envisaged an Ikorodu that would one day be at par with renowned cities like Dubai. He believes that with the fast rate of development in Ikorodu it will, in no time, gain its reputation as the Dubai of Africa.
His pointers are the fact that Ikorodu has a good topography and is situated well above sea level and bothers around sea and landmass. Being a melting pot for diverse Nigerians, thriving businesses, two world class universities, sea port, the largest rice mill in Africa, Egbin power station, and synergy amongst the indigenes, give Ikorodu vital signs as the city to look out for.
However, Professor Haastrup expressed concerns regarding the anticipated challenges. He proposed larger roads with pedestrian bridges in Ikorodu, double lane motorways, massive youth centres.
“There are needs for more service stations in town, expand the roads to allow traffic. The Imota road is in a deplorable state filled with what I call ‘pot wells’. People should be allowed to move freely at night, now that it is a city. Though, security has to be beef up to protect nightlife. Shuttle transportation like mini and big busses to move people around town.”
He buttressed on the point that security patrol system becomes pertinent; given to the fact that mega cities are faced with security challenges.
“If these things are put in place, I foresee Ikorodu as the Atlanta of Africa. I strongly believe that a time will come when Ikorodu would host the Olympic games.”
Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade who was invited to moderate the interactive sessions, used the opportunity to congratulate the people of Ikorodu for their resilience over the years. He recounted that he faced animosity from his fellow parliamentarians who attempted to merge Ikorodu division with other district of Lagos that but he stood his ground that Ikorodu must maintain a distinct status.
“A town they say was too small to be given a division status has now been declared a city in one of the largest regions in the country.”
Honourable S. O. B. Agunbiade entertained questions from six members of the audience and addressed their questions regarding how best they would benefit from the various business and financial schemes in Ikorodu.
Following the question and answer session, president of the Ikorodu chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who spoke on behalf of the association, expressed how the group holds the breakfast forum with high regard. According to him, the members of the NBA chapter would have attended the ongoing Eyingbeti Summit at Eko Hotel but they chose to join the breakfast business meeting with the Ayangbure where they would be actively involved in development programmes. The Ikorodu NBA president also used the opportunity to enlighten the audience of the pro bono services the group of lawyers are offering to indigent people who are wrongly accused in town.
Members of the high table also gave their thoughts and advice on way forward. Chiefly was the speech by Chief Ayodele Elesho, the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, who encouraged the formation of a working committee to follow up on communique issued at such important forum like this.
The Marxist and former labour leader suggested that a working committee to document and keep tabs on the resolutions of such forum would help people monitor developments. Responding to Elesho’s suggestion, Mr. Rotimi Erogbogbo said that the idea is a great one and that the IKODASS has already prepared a report on the maiden edition of the breakfast meeting with the Ayangbure.
However, he extended an invitation to Chief Ayodele Elesho to be the chairman of the working committee of subsequent forum.
In his closing remark, HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi gave background information on the history of modern Ikorodu and how it started as an industrial town with the ITC (Ikorodu Trading Company) and how it has flourished into the city it is today.
The monarch surprised the audience with the revelation that an exclusive residential island akin to the popular Banana Island in Lagos will soon be unveiled. Oba Shotobi assured his people that the long awaited government chalets in Ikorodu has been approved and talks are ongoing for investors to get down to work.
According to the monarch, as part of the 15-year master plan for Ikorodu, everyone, including minority groups, associations, all need to join hands to make it a reality.
The paramount ruler encouraged minority tribes to introduce themselves to his palace and present their plans. In his last statement, Oba Shotobi announced his desire to have an Ikorodu son as the next Lagos State Governor.
“Sometime ago, when Pastor E. A Adeboye visited Ikorodu for his ministration, while I was driving with him in his car, I told him of how I desire for Lagos State Polytechnic be upgraded into a university of technology. The general overseer prayed about it with me, today it has come to past. Recently, when Evangelist Kumuyi visited Ikorodu and came to my palace, I told him how I desire for an indigene of Ikorodu to become the next governor of Lagos State and he prayed with me about it. The truth is when we have our own son, as the governor of Lagos, the development and infrastructure we desire would be easily facilitated. I know we can raise a son of the soil with good character to represent us, someone we know his roots and can be called to order whenever he shows sign of derailment,” the paramount ruler explained.