Aladeshonyin At 70: Alayandelu, Olowu, Alaketu, Others Extol Oba Ogunlaja

By Babatunde Kaka and Zainab Olanrewaju

• Kabiesi is a very straightforward man, he is a man of discipline – Alayandelu

• I can not write my story without Oba Ogunlaja – Olowu

• Our governments are not too vibrant, says Chief Ogunyomi

The essence of life is definitely to influence lives positively especially when one has attained high positions. Obviously, the aura of positivity that clothes Oba Ogunlaja JP surely added more honor, prestige and pride to his humble person.

On 2nd october, 2020, all road led to the royal palace of Aladeshonyin and Paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja (JP). It was indeed a good day to be alive in that the palace became a mecca of guests, family, friends and well wishers. Nothing could have prompted highly placed men and women in the society to throng the ancient Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Eredo, Epe Division other than the monumental 70th birthday celebration of Aladeshonyin.

In a bid to show love, support and compassion to one of their own, traditional rulers from far and near filled the venue of the event. Notable among them are Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Elejinrin, Alayandelu, Olowu of Owu Ikosi, Gbadebo of Langbasa, Oba Igbooye, Alade Uraka of Poka, Alaketu of Ketu Epe, Onirokun of Irokun, Ogegbo of Ibonwon, Oloja of Epe ably represented by his chiefs, while Aladeshonyin-in-Council Chiefs were not left out.

The unconditional love for Oba Ogunlaja, a reputable disciplinarian, cheerful giver and influencer as described by a host of his friends was so inexplicable.

Speaking with EkoHotBlog, Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu described the quintessential monarch as a selfless leader who prioritizes the welfare and interest of the people.

Alayandelu said ” Kabiesi is a very straightforward man,he is a man of discipline and he doesn’t hide his feelings. He is very humble and a cheerful giver. He wants people to rise like himself.He contributed to my success as an Oba when I was struggling. So, Kabiesi deserves to be celebrated”.

For his part, Obayemi Aderemi Ogunlari, the Olowu of Owu ikosi Kingdom, ikosi Ejinrin LCDA, eulogies the Oba Ogunlaja, noting that the monarch played a significant role in his emergence and enthronement as Oluwu of Òwu.

“I am not surprised that God kept him because of his philantropic gestures and I thank God for keeping him to celebrate his 70th birthday. He doesn’t discriminate and he is a wonderful man that everybody should emulate. I can not write my story without Oba Ogunlaja because he assisted and supported me to emerge the Olowu of Owu kingdom. I want to wish him many life ahead.

In his remarks, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora, the Alaketu of Ketu Epe, said the character and person of Oba Ogunlaja is beyond words and no amount of praise and adoration can capture his essence.

” If I should start to talk about him, we won’t finish on time. He is a good brother, a father, a friend and he is a god person. that is why you can see the calibre of people here today. Who have come to celebrate with him. I wish him whatever his heart desires and long life on the throne”.

One of Kabiesi’s close ally, Otunba Damilola Adegbuyi, Retired Commissioner of Police, Otunba Apesin Ola of Odo-Noforija Kingdom also spoke with Ekohotblog.

He said, “He is a man of integrity, disciplinarian per excellence, a man does not compromise his belief, a royal father with which i have beyond five decades of relationship. He should be a father of all political parties, either office holders or aspirants. His primary assignment is to ensure that peace and tranquility reign in his kingdom and at the same time to give objective and solid advise to the government of the day regardless of any political party”.

Otunba Adegbuyi in his parting words advised all and sundry to always be conscious of the fact that Nigeria is the only country we have. He said,

” To all, be conscious of the fact that we have no other country than Nigeria. Charity begins at home. Whatever you have or have achieved outside this country, you should remember home. If we all put hands together for the development of this great nation, and when we put tribal and religious sentiments aside, I will tell you that this will be one of the best countries in the whole world. We should ensure that we support the government and when thy are not doing enough, it is also the duty of the traditional rulers from the local, state and federal level to advise the government accordingly”.

Ogunyomi Abduljeleel Adebola, High Chief Gbobaniyi of Odo-Noforija Kingdom expressed delight at the pace of development being experienced in Odo-Noforija Kingdom under the excellent leadership of Oba Ogunlaja. He said,

” I am the first high chief to be coronated after Oba Ogunlaja’s ascension to the throne. He really exposed me a lot. He has brought a lot of infrastructure to this community. Look at MOCPED, in conjunction with Lagos state government, he rehabilitated there and the school is in good shape. he facilitated Noforija Police Station and even the Epe-Noforija road, when Lagos State government contracted it out, he gave the contractors a yard free of charge”.

On the heels of 60th independence celebration, Chief Ogunyomi described the atmosphere in the country as a sober one. He lamented the decay in infrastucture in the country and therefore advised government to do more to make the masses happy. He said,

” I am not happy with the whole scenario in this country nowadays. Our governments are not too vibrant. What we are expecting from them are below average. In the 70s and 80s, we saw improvement in infrastructure but now, it is like we are retrogressing and lagging behind. 60th independence anniversary was celebrated in the country and there is no parade from students on the stadium like it used to be. Look at our roads, no much good roads in the nation. No light, water and drainage. Our government still needs to go back to the drawing board. They need to work hard and execute a lot of projects.

” The masses should benefit from the government. The increment of PMS to 161 naira is making life unbearable and inconvenient for the masses. You will spend 4 to 5 hours travelling to Lagos from Epe because of the bad road network. Everybody is in a sober mood and that is why you can see the country sad”.

He therefore enjoined leaders to be transparent and accountable in pursuing governance so that everything can come back to shape.