​2023 Grand Finale: Ipakodo Day Programme Projected N50m For Restructuring of Sekunmade Palace.

By Araba, Olawale Enifenilanfe:

The 2023 Ipakodo Day celebrations and the 5th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Basiru Aremu Sotonwa FNSE, Sekunmade of Ipakodo Kingdom (Osomekun 1), projected fifty million naira (N50m) only to embark on the construction of the Oba Sekunmade Pavilion in other to add value to the current Palace structure.

This programme was held at the ferry terminal, by Dangote roundabout, Oba Sekunmade road, Ipakodo, Ikorodu, Lagos State on Saturday, October 7th, 2023.

During a text speech delivered by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr) Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, FNSE, on the occasion of the 2023 Ipakodo Day and the 5th-anniversary celebration grand finale, said; his joy knows no bounds today, for witnessing the second edition of the annual Ipakodo Day celebrations, which we initiated last year.

“I am the luckiest King”, having been blessed with highly supportive subjects from both indigenes and non-indigenes alike. The success recorded at the maiden Ipakodo Day celebrations last year was largely unexpected because we got it started for the first time with very little time between the event planning and execution.

As it turned out, the people of Ipakodo had been anticipating to see an annual community event they can communicate to be their own. “I am elated that God used me to make this collective dream a reality in less than five years of my reign on the throne”.

The 2023 Ipakodo Day celebration is very special in all ramifications because it is conceded with the 5th coronation anniversary of the Sekunmade of Ipakodo Kingdom, says; we have reason to celebrate because God has finally brought an end to the dark days of this Kingdom, we are now community united in vision and purpose. 

His Royal Majesty further said, to commemorate my historic 5th coronation anniversary, “I have decided to embark on the construction of the Oba Sekunmade Pavilion in other to add value to the current Palace structure”.

He therefore calls on the Royal families, and all Ipakodo-based Corporate bodies slash Business owners, to give back to their community in implementing this legacy project. And also appreciate the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prompt call heeding toward the construction of a new befitting Oba Sekunmade Palace by sending the State officials to meet with the Royalties to fulfil the request in due course.

The Chairman of the day, and Chairman of House Committee on Defence, Ikorodu Federal House of Representatives, Honourable (Prince) Babajimi Adegoke Bensons’ (James Bond) speech at the 2023 Ipakodo Day and 5th coronation anniversary celebration of Oba (Engr) Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, FNSE, Sekunmade of Ipakodo Kingdom. 

James Bond said; it is unknown to many people here today, that “I am a bonafide Prince of Ipakodo Kingdom, from Osomeku Royal Family. 

Like every Sekunmade Prince, “I have the right, by Royal blood to ascend the throne of Sekunmade of Ipakodo”, but he is happy that his Father and Uncle; His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, FNSE, (Osomeku 1) is already doing that on behalf of our Family lineage.

Being the Chairman of today’s twin celebrations of the 2023 Ipakodo Day and Kabiyesis’ 5th Coronation is a great honour to consider this warm home-coming experience for me. 

As the Rep. Member, Representing Ikorodu Federal constituency at the House of Representatives, “I am proud to say that I am not just a bonafide Ipakodo son, but I am also a very formidable partner-in-progress towards the development of this great Kingdom. 

He further expressed to take this opportunity to render just a few among some of the developmental projects he has attracted to his comfort zone:-

Honourable (Prince) Babajimi Adegoke Benson has facilitated to Ipakodo environs; 

Education:

1. ICT centre at Anglican Primary School, Isawo.

2. A block of 8 classrooms at UPE, Ajagunro.

3. A block of 3 classrooms at UPE, Ajagunro.

4. A block of 8 classrooms at LG Primary School, Ipakodo.

Road:

5. Ayegbajeje/Odugate road, Ogolonto with solar-powered street lights.

Power:

6. Transformer to the Unity Estate CDA, Igbo-Olomu. 

7. A household solar-powered system, which consists of three bulbs, a fan and a radio transistor was distributed to the Community Development Committee, CDC in Ikorodu West LCDA. 

“I have facilitated the Ikorodu West LCDA in general. The aforementioned are just a few among other projects”.

He thereby assures the Kabiyesi of Sekunmade descendants of the Ipakodo Kingdom that he will do more for the overall development of the Ipakodo Kingdom. “I will donate handsomely towards the construction of the Oba Sekunmade Palace Pavilion”, being one of the oldest palaces in the Ikorodu Division, there is no doubt that the Sekunmade Palace requires an urgent facelift. I commend and congratulate Kabiyesis’ visionary leadership in initiating this laudable legacy project on his historic 5th Coronation Anniversary Celebration.

Said, in the same vein; he felicitated with all kith and kin in the Ipakodo Kingdom, particularly all Royal Houses, Sons, Daughters, and Residents of Ipakodo Kingdom including the Ikorodu West LCDA in general on this auspicious twin occasion. 

The Chairman of the day also uses the podium to reach out to all Ipakodo Sons and Daughters at home and in the diaspora to join forces with our amiable Kabiyesi involving the Ipakodo Development Association (IDA) in the development of the Kingdom. As’eyi s’amodun wishes from Honourable (Prince) Babajimi Adegoke Benson.

The Chairman, of Ikorodu West Local Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju (S.K.O, said in his welcome address; that one thing he has to say is to welcome every guest to contribute to the developmental project of Oba Sekunmade Palace Pavilion.

Finally, a series of dignitaries were actively involved in the donation process for the developmental project of the Oba Sekunmade Palace Pavilion. After the structure presentation of how the Oba Sekunmade Palace Pavilion will look by the member of the planning committee, Arc. Lanre Alimi. 

Some of the dignitaries in attendance are; The former Deputy Governor, a Governor Advisory Council (GAC) member, and All Progressives Congress (APC) Party Chieftain, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; APC Party Chieftain, and a former Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya; The Chairman, House Committee On Defence, Ikorodu Fedral Representative in the House of Federal Representatives, Honourable Prince Babajimi Adegoke Benson (HRM); Lagos East Senatorial District Legislator, Chairman, Senate Committee On Banking, Insurance & Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, duly represented by Dr Saheed Ibikunle; The Chairman, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju; The Sekunmade of Ipakodo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotanwa, FNSE, (Osomeku 1) itself; The Aremo Oba of Ayangbure Kingdom, Aremo Adeniyi Ogunsanya; The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I; The Olojodu of Ojoduland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Olusegun Shobowale-Benson (Onigbakule Lubajo 1); Father of the day, former Head of Service, former Chairman Local Government Service Commission, The President of the Exclusive Club Ikorodu, Alhaji (Basorun) Babatunde Tajudeen Rotinwa; Mother of the Day, Honourable Adebimpe N. Akinsola; The National Chairperson, Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGOVC), Executive Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Honourable Dr Folashade Olabanji-Oba (Aarebinrin); Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Miss Abisola Ruth Olusanya, and so on. 

All aforementioned names are involved in the sekunmade palace pavilion developmental project. Here are the financial pledges announced among the dignitaries as follows:-

1. Chairman House of Defence, Representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Prince Babajimi Adegoke Benson, who on behalf of his entire Family announced the amount to be donated towards the development of Oba Sekunmade Palace Pavilion. The highest-paid among all.

1. The Lagos East Senatorial District Legislator in the National House of Assembly, Distinguished Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru duly represented by Dr Saheed Ibikunle pronounced his sincerity towards giving to the developmental Palace Pavilion project donation, as he was not instructed to donate a specific amount on behalf of Senator Abiru, but he pleaded to give in his capacity and further notify Senator about it. 

1. The Lagos State Honourable Commissioner For Agriculture, Miss Abisola Olusanya financially donated her financial support towards the developmental project thereafter.

1. Lagos State Special Adviser To The Governor on Rural Development & Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Prince Nurudeen Yekini Agbaje pleads for millions to be donated, without a specific stated amount towards the developmental project of the Palace Pavilion. And so on.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Engr. Basiru Aremu Sotonwa (Osomeku 1) says to all Government Representatives and the distinguished guests of honour, a very BIG Thank you for making time out to rejoice with the Ipakodo Kingdom. God bless you all, He wishes. 

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