Accolades For Oba Maruffdeen Adelani Of Odogbawojo On First Coronation Anniversary

By Babawale Solomon

Eko Hot Blog reports that the first coronation anniversary of the Adegbajo of Odogbawojo Kingdom, HRM Oba Maruffdeen Adelani Adeniyi, brought together various eminent personalities, including HRM Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Lanre Ogunpote; Hon. Olusegun Olulade Eleniyan, former member representing Epe constituency II at the Lagos House of Assembly, and the Aremo of Epe, Otunba TJ Abass.

The anniversary celebration held last Saturday, December 2, 2023, in Odogbawojo, Eredo LCDA, Epe, Lagos State.

Oba Ogunsanwo felicitated and commended the community’s outpouring support for their monarch.

He noted that the wild reception for Oba Adeniyi signals that he had made significant positive impact on the wellbeing of his people during his first year on the throne.

“We have come here to felicitate with Oba Adelani Adeniyi, the Adegbajo of Odogbawojo, on his first-year coronation anniversary on the throne of his forefathers. We are very happy to come and celebrate with him; evidently, the whole town is agog and has come to felicitate with their king,” the Alara said.

“With this kind of crowd, it shows that their king has touched their lives within the one year. He has also deemed it fit that those who have been assisting him in the last one year should be conferred with a Chieftaincy title so that they will be able to do more for the community.”

Addressing the importance of strengthening traditional institutions, Oba Ogunsanwo echoed the Adegbajo’s call for constitutional roles for traditional rulers.

“It is our belief that the national and subnational should give constitutional recognition to our traditional institution,” he said.

He emphasised that such recognition would contribute to better national development, underlining the vital role played by traditional leaders in fostering community progress.

On his part, Hon. Ogunpote delved into the historical significance of Obas, noting that the traditional institution used to be much stronger.

“Historically, before the advent of colonial masters, Obas were in charge of all the communities in terms of discipline, in terms of resources control, even the economy. So what we are doing today is part of what we have inherited from our forefathers,” he said.

The former lawmaker celebrated Oba Adeniyi as his brother, expressing his stakeholder role in the community and participation in the king’s enthronement.

Similarly, Hon. Eleniyan stressed the need to strengthen the traditional institution, while appreciating Oba Adeniyi for fostering development and encouraging unity among the people of Epe.

The former legislator urged investors to consider Epe as the “new Lagos,” foreseeing its economic growth and prosperity.

“I’m not just the son of the soil, I’m the Bobaselu of Odogbawojo. I want to implore the Lagos state government that we have our traditions and culture and need to continue to strengthen. I think the Lagos state government is doing well in that aspect. You can’t compare our Obas with any other state in the federation with the way they’re being taken care of but it can still do more,” he said.

“I want to thank the government for giving us Oba Adeniyi. He’s one kabiyesi that I believe he’s going to promote our culture and also strengthen the traditional institution and bring development to this community and that is the essence of having a traditional ruler and a leader.

“They have different impact in the society. Aside being leaders, they’re the custodian of our history, culture and also tradition. We must continue to strengthen that institution.

“My message to Oba Adegbajo of Odogbawojo is that he has started well, I want him to continue. Since he became the kabiyesi of this community, we have seen the difference and God will continue to strengthen him, give him wisdom.

“My message to the people of Epe division is that we should remain United, we should continue to seek for how to develop our community either they like it or not. This is the new Lagos, this is the vision that will speak to the economy of Lagos state in the future and also it’s going to be the most populated area in Lagos because the one-third of the landmass in Lagos is here in Epe division, so you should expect that in terms of housing, industry, economy prosperity, Epe is the new Lagos and I expect that every wise investor should start looking towards Epe division.”

Likewise, Otunba Abass congratulated Oba Adeniyi, highlighting the positive changes witnessed in Odogbawojo during the king’s first year. He commended the leadership’s initiatives, which he said have fostered unity and ensured peace in the community.

“This is a special day in the history of our community, in the history of our division and I want to congratulate HRM Oba Maruffdeen Adelani Adeniyi for having a successful one year anniversary and of course what we are celebrating to day is what he has done in the last one year,” the media entrepreneur said.

“The kind of leadership he has been able to put in place, from initiative fostering unity to effort to ensure there’s peace and tranquility in the community, it’s part of what he has done in the last one year, putting together so many wonderful initiative that ensures that Odogbawojo is placed on a global pedestal.

“And what we have seen in the last one year is an indication of what to expect in the next few years. I can tell you the best of this community is yet to come.”

Otunba Abass extended heartfelt prayers to Kabiyesi, expressing confidence in the community’s future under his leadership.

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