Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has attributed the achievements being witnessed under his reign to the support and partnership with the government and the people of Ikorodu.
He made this statement while speaking with Oriwu Sun at his palace during the prayer session organised by traditionalists on Monday, August 2, 2021, to commemorate the 6th year anniversary of his coronation.
Oba Shotobi, who also appreciated the traditionalists and entire people of the town for their support, added that the celebration was not intended to be elaborated but that he could not turn down the traditional rites by the custodians of the kingdom.
“We did not want to make it elaborate but we cannot turn down the power that be who are the custodians of Ikorodu tradition and who usually ordained the Obas. I always say that I will never ignore the rites and activities of Ikorodu traditional institution, which is our image”, Oba Shotobi said.
“We are noted for those cultural and traditional activities from the beginning to the end of the year.”
“I am always behind the traditional institution in Ikorodu in observing these traditional festivals by getting involved and participating in their activities”.
The Ikorodu monarch, while acknowledging the responsibility the Obaship placed on him which the people and the government consented to, added that he would maintain the good relationship and understanding.
“Today marked the sixth year that the traditional institution in Ikorodu crowned me as the Ayangbure of Ikorodu”, Oba Shotobi said.
“I appreciate and accept it. I actually applied for it and it was granted. The Lagos State Government assented to it to make me the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Kingdom,” the Ikorodu monarch recalled.
“There has been a cordial relationship between me and the people of Ikorodu. There is a good understanding between the palace and the people.”
“That relationship has again been demonstrated today in the activities to celebrate my anniversary with everybody that you have seen during the procession on the streets of Ikorodu to rejoice with me as their King and also converging here on the palace. I thank them.”
“This is the kind of relationship that has been existing which I intend to sustain. Although, the Yoruba adage says that, “Afobaje lo maa n d’ota Oba” (King usually turned against those that supported him in ascending the throne). These people are not like that because they have shown that they are good friends of the palace.”
“I want to thank my family – the Lasunwon Royal Family, for standing by me as well as all my chiefs for standing by me. They are here today rejoicing with me”, he added.
Oba Shotobi, speaking on developments under his reign, said that the Ayangbure Palace will always be in support of the government to bring development to Ikorodu.
The paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division said that his decision to be friends with the government has led to the various projects that the government embarked upon in Ikorodu Division in the last six years.
Oba Shotobi mentioned some of the projects that have been brought to Ikorodu through his collaboration with the government.
“In the last six years, Ikorodu has been progressing. We have been witnessing many developments in Ikorodu and there has been more understanding between us and the government”, the royal said.
“I am not in opposition to the government and will always be a friend to the government in power. The relationship has helped a lot. There is nothing that I have requested for that this new government has never granted. They have been honouring me and I will continue to appreciate them.”
“We have asked for a State VIP Chalet and the Governor has magnanimously given eight acres of government land for the purpose.
“They have advertised the project and shortlisted two out of the many applicants that have submitted letters of intent for its construction.”
“The government is going to consider one of the two investors once they can see commitment of funds to execute the project”, Oba Shotobi said.
“We can see the road construction going on in Ipakodo, Isawo, Igbogbo and other areas. These are part of our requests. All the Obas in Ikorodu Division are speaking with one voice and God has foster our relationship”, he added
The Ikorodu monarch, who also said that he led other stakeholders in Ikorodu Division to present a proposal on behalf of the Division to the State government, said that he would hold the state government responsible for the document on projects requested for in Ikorodu division in the next year’s budget.
“In addition, the government has deemed it fit to engage us in the preparation of the 2022 budget proposal. They called us and we have made inputs and the government has recognized those requests and I made the representative of the government to sign our proposal”, Oba Shotobi said.
“By this time next year, if they call us to give another proposal for the budget, I am going to ask them about the performance of what the Commissioner signed with us this year and ask if they passed the ‘examination’ (execution of Ikorodu inputs into the 2022 budget)) or fail”, he added.
“If they fail, they will repeat the class by executing the requests made this year in the budget because it was signed as a commitment to the people of Ikorodu”.
Also part of the proposal made to the state government for inclusion in the next budget is the redevelopment of Ajina square, upgrading of Lagos State Polytechnic into a University, upgrading of Ikorodu General Hospital and stadium, among others.
“One of the proposals is the redevelopment of the Ita Efunlase (Ajina square)”, the royal father said.
“I am not asking that it has to be done immediately, but to make them recognize it and consider it for implementation”, Oba Shotobi added.
“I am also happy to let you know that we asked the Lagos State Government to upgrade the Lagos State Polytechnic to Lagos State Technical University. This they have accepted and I am pleased to inform you gentlemen of the press that they (Management of the institution) were invited to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday (today) to discuss and place the proposal in the public domain and make law for its formation.”
“I believe that this would come to fruition by the grace of God”.
“We have also requested that the Ikorodu General hospital should be upgraded to a Teaching Hospital. We have formally made the request and sent it to the government”, the royal father revealed.
“For the development of our youths, the government has told us that the Igbogbo Stadium has been approved for development into a stadium and that they are going to commence work on it soon”, the monarch told journalists.
“But that will be a – mini stadium. We want a befitting stadium for Ikorodu Division and we have told them that we have enough and adequate lands at the Lagos State Polytechnic main campus in Ikorodu, for that purpose.”
“We have made the presentation to them and they have agreed to work on it”, he said about the request for a standard stadium for Ikorodu.
Speaking on the phase two of ltamaga/Ijede/Gberigbe road, Oba Shotobi said that the Lagos State Government has given assurance that the next phase will be included in the next year’s budget.
“The government has also assured us that the remaining parts of the Itamaga – Ijede road will be completed in 2022.”
“We have equally made a presentation for intervention in the construction of inner roads”.
On the Fourth Mainland bridge and state sponsored cinema in Ikorodu, Oba Shotiobi said that:
“We will start seeing the green light on the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge by the end of this year.”
“We have equally engaged them on the construction of the Cinema theatre in Ikorodu, which the government has constructed in other divisions but we are yet to have that here.
“We have made our feelings known to the government and it is going to be done”, he said candidly.
On the abandoned movement of the Mile 12 Commodities market to Imota, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu said that he and other Obas and stakeholders have also requested the government to ensure that fund is provided for its completion in the 2022 budget and ensure that the project is not turned into another abandoned project.
“We have also made a presentation for the speedy construction of the Imota International commodities market. It is going to be a big market. Although, they have started it but we don’t want it to be an abandoned project”, he said.
“We have equally asked the government to include it in the budget and ensure that it is done”.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu also addressed the issue concerning the Ikorodu Master Plan and the redevelopment of Ikorodu garage roundabout to tackle the daily gridlock in the axis.
“On the Master plan for Ikorodu, which has been under review since 2016 and which is going to be covered from that year to 2036, we are yet to see it come to fruition. Although, they have been coming to ask a lot of questions”, Oba Shotobi stated while expressing his reservation over the Ikorodu Master Plan execution.
“I thank God that they have accepted the letter”, he added.
“And, of course, we have also presented our position to the government on the traffic bottleneck that we have been experiencing at the Ikorodu garage roundabout”.
Another major issue touched by the Ikorodu monarch is the negative impact of the market on the Allison Street, Lagos and Ayangbure roads.
To Oba Shotobi, the presence of traders is responsible for the negative occurrences on these roads and urged the government to provide the traders another market place to accommodate them.
“Concerning the market people selling on the Lagos and Ayangbure roads and causing traffic bottlenecks, I have asked for another market to accommodate them”, Ayangbure said.
“You should know that the market on Allison street and which spreads to Lagos and Ayangbure roads was previously at this Ojude Oba (frontage of the Ayangbure palace) before it was moved to Sabo but the traders did not want to go to Sabo at that time”, Oba Shotobi recalled.
“But today, you cannot even get a space to let at the Sabo market. The place is filled.”
“If the government now creates another area, no matter how far it is, those selling on the road will have to move there and leave the streets that they are presently occupying”, he said.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu also commended the government for the appointment of Ikorodu sons into the Permanent Secretary and Pro–Chancellorship positions.
“Government of Lagos State has also been listening to us in terms of appointments.”
“We asked for Permanent Secretaries of Ikorodu extraction and they have given us some slots in that regard. We thank the Governor for that.”
“I also want to thank the Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo–Olu, for making one of our sons the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro–Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU).”
“I thank the Governor for giving him that opportunity to serve the Lagos State Government”, Oba Shotobi said thankfully.
Also in the last six years, the paramount ruler has introduced interest – free loan for small scale traders in Ikorodu, facilitated the resolution of many Obaship and Baaleship disputes, a situation that has resulted in crowning traditional rulers and installation of some important traditional chiefs across Ikorodu division, facilitated investments and supported many other developmental initiatives.