Fresh from Ipebi where he had been in seclusion to fortify himself with spiritual and physical power and knowledge of his tradition, His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Sotonwa emerged on February 1, 2018 full of fire and anointing as he met with his honourary and traditional chiefs to brainstorm on the development plans of the town.
Hungry for action, the kabiyesi with his honourary chiefs on March 9, 2018 meet to see how to recover all that Ipakodo lost in nearly twenty (20) years of stalemate and to pave the way for rapid development of that community.
The new Sekumade of Ipakodo, on March 9, 2018, advised his chiefs to collaborate with him to effectively bring greater development to the ancient town of Ipakodo.
In a meeting with them in his palace, Sekumade pointed out that things have not gone well with the town in the last eighteen (18) years due to Obaship tussle. According to him, the chiefs, who also doubled as the coronation committee for his installation, should forget what happened in the past and unite to move Ipakodo forward.
In his words, “we are going to work together to move the town forward because things have not been well throughout the past eighteen (18) years because there was no king,” he stated.
He also admonished the chiefs and other people present and reminded them to prepare for his coronation party slated for April 14, 2018. The Osomeku I also commended the coronation committee for a job well-done in respect of his installation, which he described as a success.
He pointed out that he had confidence in everybody, especially the leadership of the committee led by Prof Kunle Ade Wahab and Sir Engr. Kayode Shoderu. Oba Sotonwa said ninety percent of their job had been done and the remaining ten percent should not be a problem.
After the presentation of gifts to the monarch, photo session and lunch ended the meeting. Meanwhile, the Bashorun of Ipakodo, who is the Aare Baba-Oba of Ikosi Kosofe land, Chief Tajudeen Jaiyesimi, urged all indigenes and non-indigenes of Ipakodo to give adequate support to the new monarch.
According to him, working with one accord would bring in the desired developments to the ancient town. Jaiyesimi also described Oba Sotonwa as a nice and complete gentleman whose wealth of experience as a retired civil servant would soon be felt in Ipakodo.
Earlier on, the Chief Imam of Ipakodo, Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed, led Imams and Jammah of all mosques in Ipakodo to Sekumade palace on a felicitation and familiarization visit. The Oba enjoined them to maintain peace and harmony.
Those who were present during the occasion were, Lisa of Ipakodo, High Chief R.A. Shitta, Odofin of Ipakodo. High Chief L. O.S. Animashaunl Aro of IPakodo, High Chief J. A. Sonubi; Bashorun of Ipakodo, Tajudeen Jaiyesimi and Otunba Animashaun.
Others were, Araba of Ipakodo, Chief Ifagbenro Ojediran; Olotu Erelu of Ipakodo, Akanke Bamimosun; Jagunmolu of Ipakodo, Aremo Ogunleye; Baloro of Ipakodo, Otunba Sikiru Awobajo; Alhaji T. S. Animashaun; Prince (Dr.) Taiwo Hassan and others.