​Exclusive 2024 Odun-Osu: Oba Shotobi & Royal Priesthoods Celebrate With Historical Book Lunch.

By Araba, Olawale Enifenilanfe:

His Royal Majesty, HRM, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom and the Treasure of Ikorodu Kingdom, Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi; DSTV Chairman, Distinguished High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), the Odofin Erujeje of Ikorodu Kingdom; Chiefs-in-Council and the Royal priesthoods from the both “Rademo and Lasunwon Royal Ruling Houses” rejoice-fully celebrate 2024 Odun-Osu annual festival on grand finale day with historical Book-Lunch titled “The Original Settlers” on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024 in the Ayangbure Palace, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. 

A series of dignitaries and the Distinguished Royal Fathers of the Ikorodu division were there present to witness, celebrate and rejoice with Oba Ayangbure of the Ikorodu Kingdom, Royal priesthoods, and High Chiefs including Baales and Erelus.

Among the dignitaries are the Royal Father of the day, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remo Land; His Royal Majesty, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro (HRM), Ranodu of Imota Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali (HRM), the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya (HRM), the Olubeshe of Ibeshe; His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeoriyomi Akeem Oyebo (HRM), the Obateru of Egbin; His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashiru Adetomiwa Sotonwa (HRM), the Sekunmade of Ipakodo Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Olukayode David Raji (HRM), the Eweye of Isiu; His Royal Majesty, Oba Ahmed Moruf O. Ogunaike (HRM), Alagura of Agura; Royal guest of Honour, His Royal Majesty, Oba Fatai Aremu Aromire (HRM), the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Oba Sulaimon Adesina Raji (HRM), the Oniba-ekun of Iba Kingdom; Olotu Rademo ruling family, Prince Fatai Oluwole; Chairman of the Day, Otunba Steve Anifowose, Asiwaju of Ikorodu Kingdom of Lasunwon ruling family; Chief luncher of the day, Otunba Akinola Awomodu, Otunba Anoko/Ogbonyare of Ikorodu; Book Reviewer, Professor A.O.K Noah, Professor of Sociology of Education, LASU, Ojo, Lagos State, and so on.

Oba Shotobi expressed his happiness on how the Odun-Osu annual festival has been so eventful, practising the proper traditional ways of consulting the ancestors by the forefathers during their existence. This is to buttress the goodwill of the Ikorodu people to improve their living styles and their achievements in Ikorodu. 

“I am happy to see all the sons and daughters of Ikorodu indigenes, especially the “Princes and Princesses” for being participating in the first Ikorodu festival of the year, which is for the unity of the King and royal priesthoods; It is called Odun-Oba meaning, Odun-Osu”, Oba Shotobi said.

Stating the reason why the representatives of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi and Akarigbo of Remo himself were present to witness the performances of their once children to prove that the indigenous people of Ikorodu originated from the Remo axis of Orisagamu. “We are glad to see a lot of turnout regarding the 2024 annual festival of Odun-Osu”, Oba Shotobi expressed. 

“We are in the fact that the 2024 Odun-Osu activities have been able to discover an Ikorodu Indigene, who wrote about the legacy of Ikorodu, titled “The Original Settlers” to checkmate and guide the indigenes on where they belong. “If you don't belong, you will not find your name wanting in the listed content of the book, and I am happy because the book has come into play”.

Oba Shotobi further expressed, that no one is perfect in terms of the book content; There is always room for improvement by reviewing the book just in case you find any misappropriation in it and reproducing to prove that you are truly a son or daughter from Ikorodu. 

Speaking about the book's impact on the unborn child, the Oba Shotobi constitutionally states that enrollment of the children in schools, travelling documents, place of birth and indigenous letters will be required before they can be considered to function as tourists and students in schools. History will always guide them through reading and studies to reveal and impact them to know where they originated from.

Kabiyesi clarifies, that this book is not to redefine Ikorodu but to assist those who are ignorant of where they originated from and to know where they belong to in the society of Ikorodu Kingdom. “There is room for improvement; we can review the book and make adjustments to it if necessary”, he said.

Speaking about the upcoming festival, Oba Shotobi spoke about his vital role in maintaining the art and culture, said he will never forbid the art and culture, and promised to be supportive in terms of appealing to the ancestors regarding its mentainance so that it will always be there for the heritage people of Ikorodu in at home and diaspora as well as to pray for Nigeria to comfortably relief the citizens during present hardship in the country.

former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, and APC Party Chieftain, Hon. Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanys in an interview, said; it is good to write, particularly about history, the cost, and the culture because the society is very dynamic, and staging very fast. Most of the Ikorodu children outside this community do not know much about their communities. The importance of the book is to know your identity so as not to lose who you are, which means to avoid losing a vital part of yourself. 

He also says that the books are for the unborn child to trace who they are, where they are from, the relevance of their community and to be able to relate to it. So to that extent, the 2024 Odun-Osu is a big success for me, he commended.

The book keeps the historical data of the traditional festival; the chieftaincy and honorary titles, including all sources of information about the family trees of over four hundred family names mentioned for every person of Ikorodu to be able to trace where they precisely came from, “particularly the Ituns”, Aga, Ijomu, Isele so that you can be able to find your trace. Even if you are in the Western world you will be able to find your root. Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya expatiated.

Speaking, the book stands to be reviewed; It is good to put writing on paper for us to start with. He thereby appreciates the book author, Adeola Owolabi for deeming it fit to come up with such a historical book and also gives kudos to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi for his encouragement for bringing the book to lunch this year. 

So, “to me, this year 2024 Odun-Osu, is a big success, he said to wish Oba Shotobi a durable and comfortable healthy life on earth.

A lot of entertainment thereafter as the Princes and Princesses of both Royal ruling houses rejoiced with the Treasure of Ikorodu Kingdom, Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi and her husband, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi. 

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