To say the reign of Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has engendered lots of positive developments across lkorodu division, is saying the obvious.
This development is more vivid in the traditional institution where age long Obaship tussles in communities are being resolved amicably in and out of court of law and Obas being installed with glitz and glamour.
Since his much celebrated ascension to the Ayangbure throne seven years ago, about three new Obas have equally been successfully crowned across lkorodu division, after many years of stiff opposition and competition, while the installation of other traditional rulers in other communities in the division, is expected to follow suit in the coming years.
The latest Oba to be installed is HRM Oba Ahmed Olalekan Ogunnaiki who was presented with the Staff of Office as the first Oba of Agura Kingdom, by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was ably represented by his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert.
The epoch-making installation ceremony was held at the lkorodu Local Government Secretariat and recorded an impressive attendance which included royal fathers, traditional chiefs, Baales, eminent dignitaries and many others.
Top on the attendance list was Oba Shotobi who led other Obas in the division to the installation ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Hon. Robert said that the installation of Oba Ogunnaiki was significant because Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the request of the people of Agura community to upgrade their Baaleship to Obaship.
While stating that the Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State Government has created an efficient system that makes Obaship selection process transparent and timely, he explained that the presentation of Staff of Office to the new Oba took place after the government had scrutinised and accepted that due process had been followed in the upgrading process.
Hon. Robert, therefore, congratulated Oba Ogunnaiki on his ascension to the throne as the first Oba of Agura Kingdom.
He also commended all sons and daughters of Agura for their consensus, sacrifices and unity in the creation of the stool of the Oba of Agura and the delineation of the ruling houses, and urged them to support the new Oba in strengthening the cord of unity, peace and sustainable progress in Agura Kingdom.
Hon. Robert assured residents of Agura that the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu will continue to give community attention like other parts of the State, in terms of infrastructure, economic empowerment, human capital development and security, while also appealing for support for government programmes and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.
In his own address, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, the Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the double honour bestowed on the Agura community; first, the construction of the lgbodu-Agura-Gberigbe road and secondly, the installation of new Oba.
He also lauded Oba Shotobi for the peace, harmony and development that his reign has brought to lkorodu Kingdom, while also commending him and other royal fathers in lkorodu division for their leadership style and for peaceful way they are administering their respective communities.
The Chairman, while describing the new monarch as a man of good reputation, a product of Oriwu College, Ikorodu and someone who has vast experience in local government work, advised him to emulate other Obas in the division to ensure peaceful co-existence among different tribes in his domain.
Also, Oba Shotobi, in his royal address, equally thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving and presenting staff of office to the Alagura,while also commending Hon. Adesina for the role he played in the process.
He congratulated Oba Ogunnaiki on his emergence as the first traditional ruler of Agura Kingdom and urged him to use his new position to unite everyone and ensure that there is peace and harmony in Agura during his reign.
Oba also disclosed that more Obas would be installed across various communities in lkorodu division along further development. However, he appealed to residents in the division to vote enmasse for Governor Sanwo-Olu and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, as a show of appreciation for what the State government has done for the division and for what they would still in the future.
Meanwhile, Oba Ogunnaiki, in maiden royal speech, was full of gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving his installation after several years that he has been pursuing the kingship.
He also lauded Hon. Adesina, Oba Shotobi and other monarchs in lkorodu division their support in ensuring his emergence as an Oba.
The new Alagura equally thanked the entire indigenes and residents of Agura for rallying round him to achieve the feat and solicited for more support to make his reign successful.
The climax of the event was official presentation of Staff of Office and other paraphernalia to Oba Ogunnaiki by the representative of Governor Sanwo-Olu, to the admiration of the entire gathering, after which a marathon photograph session followed.
Also at the event were: Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Kayode Raji Balogun, Eweye of lsiu, Basorun Babatunde Rotinwa, Sheikh Sefiudeen Olowo-Oribi, Chief lmam of lkorodu, Hon. Folasade Olabanji- Oba, Vice Chairman, lkorodu Local Government and others.