Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, accommodated about thirty Lagos Obas of Ijebu descent in his extensive palace. The event, which took place on May 3rd, 2023, witnessed attendants from crowned monarchs of Ijebu descent in Lagos State. Crowned traditional rulers from Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Langbasa and other neighbouring kingdoms attended in their bright regale attires, amidst escorts and attendants.
The Ayangbure palace, which is lavishly built in modern architectural structure, added royal colours to that glorious day as beautifully dressed Lagos Obas of Ijebu descent appeared in style and nobility.
The handsome, delectable Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who hosted his counterparts, ensured that they had a great treat befitting royalty as he decorated the special banquet hall reserved for distinguished dignitaries among the many exquisite receptions in the Ayangbure palace. The Oba’s premises were designed with neat white banners, flower wreaths, and impeccable white canopies with chairs were provided for accompanying guests to the palace. Plush cars of assorted European and American makes were parked across the Ayangbure palace, while units of security agents manned every key area of the palace. Light musical entertainment played from disc jockey’s set of musical gadgets, while hired catering service staff hurried around arranging their cutleries and stalls.
Traditional chiefs, honourary chiefs and queen mother of the Ayangbure palace welcomed the visiting monarchs in colourful attires.
The customary Gbedu band (Royal band) performed in Ijebu melodies as each Oba arrive at the palace. Paparazzi and journalists jostled to take photographs of the Obas as they stepped out of their plush cars in rich agbada dresses, donned in royal caps with their symbolic scepters.
The event proper began after over twenty monarchs arrived and took their seats in the royal banquet hall, while their attendants and aids loitered around the entrance. While the event began, the Obas asked to be excused by every none-crowned person in the hall and they were left alone.
Minutes after they started their meeting, other royal fathers of Ijebu descent, arrived and were royally welcomed by the palace Gbedu band. The Gbedu band, with cultural melodies, entertained the famous Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro known for his passion for cultural activities as he stepped out of his car. Oba Agoro relished the tune before joining his contemporaries in the banquet hall.
After some moments of closed-door engagements, the Obas allowed journalists and other aides to join them.
Honourary chiefs of the Ikorodu kingdom emerged in colourful and regale attires. While they took reserved seats prepared for them, the Ayangbure delightfully introduced his distinguished honourary chiefs to his counterparts.
With great honour and splendor, the Ikorodu honourary chiefs were stock of fine and successful men, among which were former commissioners, company chief executives, publishers, business moguls, all of impeccable records in their various fields.
Oba Shotobi might be the only Lagos Oba of Ijebu descent that could present distinguished set of honourary chiefs before his fellow traditional rulers.
Former Lagos State Commissioner, Chief Kaoli Olusanya; Publisher of Oriwu Sun newspaper Chief Monzor Olowosago; Former Lagos State Commissioner, Chief Ayodele Elesho; Chairman of Alabukun Company Chief Wole Odulate and five other notable chiefs of Ikorodu kingdom, were present and were properly introduced by Oba Shotobi.
In honour of their king, the chiefs, in return, donated handsome amount of cash for the entertainment of the guest monarchs in their kingdom. Other distinguished honourary chiefs of Ikorodu kingdom who were not present also sent in their respective donations and pledges.. Notably amongst them was Otunba Akinola Awomodu, Otunba Anoko/Ogbonyari of Ikorodu. It once again explains why only distinguished and men of substance are made honourary chiefs. In that moment Oba Shotobi couldn’t be proud any more as he assembled the finest set of honourary chiefs in the Ijebu descent Oba’s forum.
The meeting resumed as the Obas continued their agenda of the day, while the noble spectators sat in silence. After the conclusion of the meeting, the secretary of the Ijebu Obas forum in Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiu Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, read the important notice and notes for future meeting.
The Adeboruwa announced their next host in the coming month of June, and read other hosts for the rest months of the year.
While the Obas were having their launch, curious journalists hovered around some for interview. Responding to pressmen, the Oloja of Epe Kingdom HRM, Oba Kamoroudeen Ishola Bakare who is the Vice Chairman of the Ijebu Obas in Lagos State, explained that the forum is an umbrella body of Ijebu speaking Obas in Lagos State. He said that the forum serves as a platform for them to ruminate over their cultural heritage and work towards preserving their ancestral ways of life.
“We are the Ijebu Obas in Lagos State, we are holding this meeting to contribute to the future of Lagos State and support the government. We are happy and will continue to support the new elected Nigerian president who is a Yoruba man. We are using this opportunity to thank Nigerians for voting him (Bola Tinubu) as president.”
Oba Kamoroudeen appreciated the concerted effort of the Yorubas, Igbos, Hausa, Ijaws, Itshekiris, Idomas and other numerous tribes who made Tinubu’s success a reality. The monarch believes the victory was a concerted efforts of all tribes, and shows how Nigerians are strong in diversity.
He reiterated that the agenda of their meeting bothers on the progress of Nigeria, adding that while they discuss the development of Lagos State, the entire country would invariably benefits from their efforts. “There is Awori, Egun and other descents in Lagos and we are the Ijebu descents, we all think towards the betterment of Lagos. In forums like this, we contribute our quota.”
Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the secretary of the Ijebu Obas in Lagos, was also cornered by journalists for hints about the meeting. The monarch, a legal luminary before he was crowned a king, spoke in a gentlemanly order, “Today, we are gathered here to thank God for the recent election, and to pray for further success in the state and country. It is our joy and wish that our society continues to experience progress and prosperity. In this forum, we meet and discuss important issues that will benefit our society at large.”
The Alara of Ilara-Epe, HRM Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the handsome ebony looking man in clean white attire, was besieged by pressmen for his comment. The Oba, who spoke in eloquent tone, explained the role of the royal forum, “We, the Ijebu speaking Obas of Lagos State, are gathered under this forum to deliberate on common issues, and how to move forward.
We share common boundaries, cultural festivals and dialect; we are compatible in many ways. Compatibility is about exchanging ideas, rubbing minds and exploring ways we can contribute to the Lagos State Government’s efforts. We are happy that the best of the lots was chosen as president of Nigeria, and as governor in Lagos too. We are appealing to our subjects and the citizens to support the president elect and the Lagos State Government, through prayers and duties. With the new president elect, Nigeria will experience great success as he has the Midas touch. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a man known in Nigeria and around the world for his excellent skills. He will turn things around in Nigeria.” The Alara of Ilara-Epe said.
The elderly and astute Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro who spoke to pressmen clarified questions from journalists. “I will start from the nobility of the Ijebu race, all of us here today are from the Ijebu speaking communities, we have brought together our antecedents to exhibit and showcase the royalty of Ijebu race. Though, these lands are historically part of the Lagos colony, we know where we come from. We are supporting our people and the government in our own capacity.
“We are not selling our heritage, but guard it from going extinct. In this transition period, Nigerians must work together to foster unity and peace for the common good of the country. We have to demonstrate to the world that we can govern ourselves in Nigeria,” Oba Agoro said.
The chairman of the Ijebu Obas’ Forum of Lagos State, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, who played host to his fellow Ijbeu Obas in Lagos, spoke last to the press. The delectable light skinned paramount ruler of Ikorodu, told the curious reporters the impact of the Ijebu Obas’ Forum in Lagos.
“We have been able to establish the Ijebu Obas’ Forum in Lagos State, and it comprises of Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, Langbasa, and Ikorodu. You can see the turnout of all the Obas who have come to grace this meeting. This is the aftermath of the recently concluded general elections.
Our contribution to the nominations of Mr. Governor and the president-elect, was a success. We spoke in one voice on our choice candidates and it came to pass. This is the kind of association that we have established, to have one voice on common things we want. We appreciate everybody turning out today to register their attendance and the union has come to stay.
The issues we discussed are for the progress of Lagos State and the progress of our people. We are part of IBILE, and our objectives are simple; to cooporate with the re-elected government of Lagos State.”
The meeting ended after motion was moved and seconded by two of the Obas. Shortly after, the distinguished Obas and the chiefs posed for group photographs.
Food, drinks and other forms of refreshment were served around. The luxury cars and security escorts began moving out of the Ayangbure palace as the sunset.