In the olden days, traditional rulers were known to command huge influence and authority over their respective Kingdoms. These Kingdoms were known to have a number of communities and covered large expanse of land which these Obas ruled over with might and power.
However, most of these communities and their dwellers were largely unknown to the Obas, yet they cared less so long their orders and directives were having desired results on these places and their inhabitants.
But there seems to be a positive change in this regard nowadays as traditional rulers are becoming more conscious and concern about their responsibilities towards the territories and people under their rulership. They look for ways to bond with them so as to have better understanding of their developmental challenges and how best to address them.
One Oba who has demonstrated this commitment in actions and in deeds is the Sekumade of Ipakodo Kingdom, Oba Bashir Sotonwa, the revered monarch whose almost five years on the throne of his forefathers have witnessed steady peace and development.
In a bid to familiarize himself with the neighbouring communities and the residents in his Kingdom, the Kabiyesi abandoned the comfort of his palace and embarked on a weeklong familiarisation visits to these communities between June 20 and 27, 2022.
The monarch said that the tour became necessary as he had never known where all the communities are located and that many of the residents do not know whom their king is, a situation he said he was sad about.
Despite his age, Oba Sotonwa showed rare agility and energy as he led the Sekumade in-Council, Baales and others in embarking on the marathon visitations to fifteen communities under Ipakodo Kingdom..
On the Oba’s entourage were High Chief Oludayo Ajose Sotomiwa, the Lisa of Ipakodo, Chief Joseph Aluko, Baale Owutu, Chief O.Y.O. Fashola, Baale Ogolonto, Chief Ligali Awoyinka, Apesin Majidun Awori and representative of Baale Majidun Awori, Chief S.O Ojebiyi, Baale Palapo, Chief Alex Olusegun Omoyele, Baale Majidun Ilaje, Mr. Cyril Nwobu, DPO, Owutu, Mr. Kareem Omobolanle, Chieftaincy Officer and representative of Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA among others.
It was indeed a rousing reception for the Sekumade and his team as a crowd of residents received them amid fanfare in all the communities visited.
The residents were indeed very happy to have the monarch in their midst, being the first and only Oba to have visited them in the history of the Kingdom, while they also presented him cash gifts and other gift items in appreciation of his gesture.
Meanwhile, the monarch and his entourage kicked off the visitation on June 20 by visiting Ebute Iga, Palapo and Itasin communities, all in ‘Ward A’ area of Ikorodu West LCDA.
The visit continued the following day as the royal visitation train stopped at Majidun Awori, Itowolo, Majidun llaje and Ogolonto communities respectively.
Also, on June 24, Oba Sotonwa and his team of Chiefs and Baales moved to Owutu, Idiroko and Ewenla communities to complete the first phase of the visitation.
On Monday, June 27, the familiarisation tour resumed at Oriokuta Mafoju/Odumo Community where Oba Sotonwa and his team were welcomed by the Baale, Chief Adio Jayesinmi, and the residents amidst songs and dance after which they were led into the Baale’s palace for a brief reception.
After settling down, Chief Sotomiwa informed the residents that Oba Sotonwa had only come for a brief visit to know them and their community, while assuring that the Oba would pay another visit to the community and spend more time with them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tayo Ola Erinle, the Chairman, Mofoju Odumo CDA, commended Oba Sotonwa òn the visit, stating that he’s the first traditional ruler to visit the community.
He also said that Oriokuta is the most peaceful of all the communities in Ikorodu West due to the cooperation that exists between the Baale and the residents.
Mr. Erinle listed some of the challenges facing the community such as bad network of roads, lack of canals and the security threat posed by the large number of the Fulanis among others.
While acknowledging that it is not the responsibility of the Kabiyesi to address their complaints, he urged him to use his influence to talk to the appropriate quarters on their behalf for urgent action.
Speaking briefly, the Baale of Oriokuta, Chief Jayesinmi described Oba Sotonwa’s visit to his community as historic and expressed joy that the visitation took place during his reign.
In his response, Oba Sotonwa thanked the Baale and his people for the warm welcome accorded them.
He commended the peace and cooperation that are existing in the community and urged them to sustain the situation.
Oba Sotonwa explained that he had only come to familiarise himself with the community and that he was happy to see the residents in high spirits.
On the residents’ complaints, he assured that he would inform the council Chairman about them while he advised the trio of the Councillor representing the area, CDAs and Baale to collaborate and plan towards addressing some of the challenges facing the community.
The high point of the visitation was the presentation of a ram to the monarch by the residents as a gift.
Curtain was drawn on the visit with closing remarks, prayer and photograph session respectively.
From Oriokuta, the Oba and his team headed to the Ajagunro community where they were received with songs and dance at the entrance of the community by a group of market women dressed in a uniform ‘Ankara’ aso ebi and were led to the Baale palace where the Baale, Chief Sikiru Olayiwola Okikiade Orepitan, his wife, CDA executives and residents were already seated and waiting for their August visitor.
After the introduction of the Oba and his chiefs, Alhaji Butu Onakoya, in his welcoming address on behalf the Baale and residents, lauded Oba Sotonwa for deeming it fit to pay the historic visit to the community, urging the council Chairman and councillors to take a cue from the monarch’s gesture and visit the area regularly to feel the pulse of the people.
He appealed to Oba Sotonwa to help speak with the council Chairman to repair the main road that leads into the community while also raising concern over the presence of the Fulanis in the community, stating that they are already outnumbering the residents and that the situation calls for urgent attention as their presence constitutes security threats to the residents whom he said could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.
Also, a mild drama played out at the event when angry residents verbally attacked the councillor representing the area, Hon. Tejumaye Adeyanju, accusing him of non-performance and for not being visible and accessible to them.
But the councillor quickly responded by saying that he has always been doing his duties as a councillor and that most of the complaints by the aggrieved residents would be addressed by the executive arm of the Ikorodu West LCDA.
Other requests by other residents that spoke include construction of health centre, drainages, schools empowerment for traders.
However, Oba Sotonwa, in his remarks, commended the residents for their desiring development to cooperate with the Baale, CDAs and councillor to resolve some of their developmental plans.
He urged the councillor to organise regular town hall meetings to bridge the communication gap between him and the people, stating that he’s too far away from them.
He also promised that government would attend to their complaints regarding development, at the right time.
Various groups presented gifts to the Kabiyesi while the visit was brought to a close with a vote of thanks and prayers.
At Agbede community, the royal entourage was accorded same reception at the first two communities visited.
There residents also requested for the construction of market, health centre, roads and other facilities while Oba Sotonwa assured them to discuss their requests with the council Chairman and other representatives of Ikorodu division whenever he meets them.
The Baale also used the occasion to inaugurate his Baale-in-council and presented them to Oba Sotonwa for blessings.
After the gift presentations and closing prayers, the visiting team moved to the Isawo community and were received in the community hall where a crowd of residents which included the Baale, Chief David Orisan, different groups like artisans, traders, clubs and associations who had been waiting to receive the Oba and his chiefs.
It was the same scenario as residents inundated the Oba with requests for roads, health centre, police post, military post, and urgent intervention to security threat posed by the presence of Fulanis in the area.
The Baale and his people also demonstrated their appreciation for the Oba’s visit by showering gifts on him while a group of girls also entertained him with exciting cultural dance display.
After leaving Isawo, the visiting team immediately headed to the Oke Oko community to round off the familiarisation tour.
The Baale, Chief Musediku Ibrahim, and residents of the community who had equally been curiously waiting to receive the monarch were very happy when the convoy of Oba Sotonwa emerged at the scene around 5.30pm.
Since the time had been far spent and night was fast approaching, the visitation was a very brief affair as the Baale quickly welcomed the monarch and his team after which he beckoned to the CDA Chairman, Mr. I.B. Raheem, and few others to brief the visitors on the developmental challenges facing the community.
Among the demands of the residents were schools, market, empowerment for youths, police post, health centre and others.
Just like he told residents at the other communities visited early, Oba Sotonwa said that he had only come to familiarise himself with the community and not for any political purpose.
While stating that he and his chiefs do not have the wherewithal to provide what the residents are demanding for, he assured that he would use his influence to make contacts with those in the position of authority for urgent interventions.
He equally advised that the Baale, CDAs and councillor representing the area, should collaborate with the residents in finding solutions to some of the needs of the community, while he also warned that the CDAs executive must be accountable and transparent in the way they handle money put in their care in order to encourage residents to show more commitment towards the development of the community.
The visit was ended with a vote of thanks and prayers after which Oba Sotonwa and his entourage departed and arrived back in his palace at