SHEIKH (ALHAJI) M.F. ARIDEGBE KOSOKO, Chief Imam of Ikorodu West:
“Today is a wonderful day for all of us and we are happy about that. For many years now, we haven’t gotten any kings or representative from Ipakodo. We pray that God would help us to continue going forward and not backward again.”
CHIEF R. A. SHITTA, Olisa of Ipakodo:
“I am the most favoured person by God today. It is close to nineteen (19) years that we haven’t gotten a king in the community and I have been the one controlling the affairs of the community with my fellow chiefs, but I thank God for not allowing the community to continue without a king. I urge every indigene of Ipakodo to cooperate with the new Oba in order to benefit greatly from him.”
CHIEF TAJUDEN ONASANYA, Odofin of Igbogbo:
“The entire indigenes of Ikorodu are supposed to be happy today because for several years now, there was no king in this community and whenever we, the chiefs, and Obas meet at Alausa, we are consciously aware that we are not complete. There are many benefits from the installation of the new king and the community now has someone to represent them and get attention from the government.
I urge the people of Ipakodo to support the king to move the community forward. Today will also be the beginning of success, both for the king and the community.”
MRS. WONUOLA FOLAMI:
“I am very excited today and we, the indigenes of Ipakodo, are also expecting more development during the reign of the new king. I think this coming together would last forever so that with unity, there would be a lot of improvements.”
CHIEF TELE ODULOYE:
“We have finally gotten a new king and the tussle is over. We thank God for that. The king, who is a retired public servant, is someone who has been in administration and he’s expected to bring his experience to bear in handling the affairs of the community. I urge the people of Ipakodo to rally round him and give him all the support he needs for him to make a success of this new position.”
MRS. KEHINDE AWOYINFA:
“Oba Basiru Sotonwa’s family have been very good friends of mine. His wife is my close friend. Oba Sotonwa is a man of good-will and very supportive. He had also been in administration for long as a civil servant and I don’t think that ruling his people will be a difficult task for him. I believe that the people of Ipakodo would enjoy him.”
PRINCE ABIOLA KOSOKO, Alase of Ebute-Iga:
“Today is a glorious day. We have been waiting for this day and we thank God that it has finally arrived. I am also grateful that I am among the traditional leaders at this event and it will give us and edge over some trouble in Ipakodo, Ebute and Ikorodu West in general. I pray that God will give us wisdom and strength to overcome other pressing issues. We are ready to give the Oba our total support.”
PRO. KUNLE ADE WAHAB, Chief of the Palace:
“It is a happy and joyful event not only for the person coming as the Oba but for all of us because in the past nineteen years, we have not had our rightful place in this division of Lagos State. And I think that it is the generosity of the present Governor of the State that ensured that the event took place.
I appreciate the Governor and I believe also that the new king would bring anything due Ikorodu West to Ipakodo. We would also rally round him to ensure that the aim and purpose of uplifting this part of Lagos State is achieved. And this would also help to bring more development and create more jobs for the people of Ipakodo.”
SIR (OTUNBA) AYODELE ELESHO, Former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom:
“This occasion is a very unique one in the sense that the tussle for Obaship has lasted for nineteen (19) years. And after all these years, we can have peaceful installation of the Oba, it is a thing of joy. Our prayer is that Ipakodo should turn a new leaf. All the families involved in the tussle should unite and see themselves as one, and seek for the improvement of Ipakodo kingdom.
I congratulate the kabiyesi and pray that his reign would be peaceful and would bring development to Ikorodu division.”
MRS. IDOWU ANIMASHAUN, Iyalode Eleluku, Agura:
“I am so happy today and I am looking forward to Governor Ambode coming to give the new king staff of office. I hope that by God’s grace, everything would go on smoothly. Ipakodo has always been peaceful and now that they have Oba, I believe that great developments would come to the community.”
ALHAJA SILIFAT ANIMASHAUN:
“I am the wife to the king’s brother. We thank God that the Obaship has gotten to our turn. My prayer for the new Oba, who is our father, is that he would reign for long and he would live long. I know that it is his destiny to become the king, I pray that his family and his community would enjoy him. I call on all the people to encourage him and give him all the support he needs.”
CHIEF OWOLABI KAZEEM, Olorogun of Ibese Land:
“Today is a good day and I am very happy. This is because for a long time, we have been expecting this to happen and here we are today witnessing the reality of the that expectation. We thank the Governor for remembering us today by giving us Oba in Ipakodo.
My advice to the king is that he should join hands with other kings in Ikorodu division to bring development to the division.”
ALHAJI IDRIS SAKIN TAMMA ZAKI, Chairman, Arewa Community, Ipakodo:
“The event is a credible one and the attendance of dignitaries in and outside Ikorodu division attested to that. It is a good one for Ipakodo. I will advise the people of Ipakodo to give support to their new Oba in order to attract development into the community.”
ADESEGUN OGUNDEJI:
“We should all be happy when a thing like this happen. I love the scenario and the process that was followed to select the new oba. He is a well-educated man, generous and a good listener. He will bring a lot of goodwill towards the development of the town and I am very happy to be part of the system. The family has been united to make this process peaceful. I pray that the king reigns for a very long time.”
Dr. Taiwo Hassan, Jimbo (Prince):
“I feel elated that somebody is succeeding my father after a longstruggle since May 29, 1999 till February 2, 2018, almost nineteen years. But we thank God that it is all over and we are progressing.
My advice to him is that he should be accommodating and he should take up the mantle and start working immediately for the progress and development of the community that has been stagnant for years. I urge the princes and princesses to continue to be noble and give support to the king and support the development of the town in general.”
HON. SEGUN ANIFOWOSE, Former Sole Administrator, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area: “The Obaship tussle has been on for the past nineteen (19) years and today everyone is joyous and happy that we are installing our new Oba. I want to believe that from today onwards, we will see development in the community in harmony with the state government in the vision to push the state forward.
My advice to the indigenes of Ipakodo is that they should give him all the support to achieve his goals and aspirations for the community.”
HON. MUSLIM OLORUNTELE FOLAMI, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs:
“This is one of the good agenda of Governor Ambode. This shows that traditional rulers are custodians of culture and tradition in Lagos State and they must be carried along. This government has succeeded in installing twenty one new Obas in Lagos since its inception.
The purpose is to develop our traditional institutions in the state and to promote our culture. We thank God for giving the community a new Oba after years of tussle for the tittle.”