If a kingdom could be likened to a military parade, the ancient town of Noforija in the Epe division of Lagos State would take a halt in salute to its general, the monarch of the town, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja, the Aladeshonyin Of Noforija Kingdom in the mark time between 26th September and 2nd October 2022, as His Royal Majesty completes the second cycle in the annual measurement of his reign. This monumental feat is no doubt deserving of a feast.
The euphoria in the atmosphere surges at the anticipation of the convergence of a slew of royal fathers and the creme de la creme of the society in Noforija to celebrate such a consequential and epic moment in the life of the highly revered first-class monarch.
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The 20-year reign of Oba Babatunde Olaogun Ogunlaja has been attended by tranquility and devoid of any communal discord that could have increased the thermal capacity of the already hot seat, which is what every monarch’s throne is.
The 20th anniversary of Aladeshonyin’s ascension to the throne of his forefathers will be a celebration of harmonious and peaceful co-existence in the kingdom.
It is a celebration of 20 years of tremendous growth and contribution to the socio-economic condition of the ancient town.
The story of Noforija is indeed a success story, a story of a community that has virtually become an economic hub, an epicenter of commercial activities in Lagos State, a community with a booming and explosive hospitality business, and an incredible population explosion.
Cataloging the developmental strides of this great community without due reference to the mastermind, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogunlaja, is like appreciating a building with disregard for the mason’s dexterity; a kingdom and its king are two sides of a coin.
Kabiyesi has, in the past two decades, dutifully combined his role as the custodian of our time-proven values and his role as the agent of development.
Since his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, he has demonstrated exemplary leadership by living above board while remaining the rallying point and inspiration for his subjects.
As a custodian of culture and tradition, the Aladeshoyin has played significant roles in promoting harmony, socio-cultural cooperation, communal living, and peaceful co-existence among the Noforija Kingdom and its neighbors.
It is a debatable issue whether the progenitors of the Noforija Kingdom could have phantomed the development strides witnessed in the kingdom today.
It is also an incontestable fact that the kingdom has produced notable Nigerians whose indelible impact on the nation’s economy is eternal.
Israel Adebajo, who ran the very successful Nigerian Office Stationery Supply Stores in the country in the 60s,70s, and 80s, was born in Noforija. The present Julie Pharmacy building at Ikeja Bus Stop was used as the headquarters of the then famous stationery stores of Nigeria Ltd.
The Flaming Flamingoes, also known as Adebajo Babes or Stationery Stores Football Club of Lagos, was another exemplification of the avant-garde attribute of the Noforija-born business magnate, Israel Adebajo.
The stationery store football club of Lagos was founded in 1958. It was the sensation, the darling, and the most dominant club in Lagos, with an impressive 13 Lagos State Challenge Cups victories
The fluid and irresistible style of Haruna Ilerika, Sam Opone, and Peter Fregene endeared the club to Lagos fans. It was indeed a testimony to the business acumen of the young Israel Adebajo and his contribution to the national discourse.
It will be a travesty if the oratory prowess of Senator Femi Ayantuga and his contribution to the socio-economic development of the nation is not mentioned.
While it is true that Noforija has produced outstanding individuals and accomplished business leaders who have been part of the success story of the nation’s economy, the rapid transformation of the ancient town in the last 20 years could easily qualify the community a rightful place in the Guinness Book of Record.
The purposeful and visionary leadership of Oba Ogunlaja, backed by uncommon love and passion for the community and the citizenry, is one of the reasons for the rapid transformation
Oba Babatunde 3-cardinal agenda for the Odo-Noforija Kingdom, Community
1. Development (Human, Economic, and Physical)
2. Progress and Growth
3. Peace (security of lives and properties) has been responsible for his success.
The compendium, the compilation of the community rules and policies, the establishment Noforija anthem, the impressive road network, the first community police station, and the establishment of the first ever tertiary institution, MOCPED, now LASUED, are some of the physical manifestations of Oba Ogunlaja’s ingenuity and the reason for his success in the last 20 years
He has been a good father to all his subjects, irrespective of their cleavages, and his reign attracted massive socioeconomic and physical development to the ancient town.
Kabiyesi, even when you do not tell moonlight tales of your experience in the past twenty years, we know that it must have been a mix of hopes, disappointments, wins, doubts, confidence, criticism, and validation.
Today, we have reached a landmark; still, we are confident that, like biblical Joshua, you will lead us to the Promised Land.
As we celebrate and mark the second decade of this reign with a slew of activities in the next one week, I cannot help but wish HRM a resounding successful celebration
The 7-day epochal event will feature a plethora of live-changing initiatives, scholarship, and medical outreach, including prostate and cervical screening, guest lectures, and distribution of WASSCE and UTME forms, to mention a few
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The birthday celebration of HRM, will mark the grand finale on October 2nd.
This week promises to be a fun-filled week as we celebrate an achiever.
The next decade in Noforija promises another decade of greatness and giant strides for the Odo-Noforija Kingdom.
Congratulations to HRM Oba Olaogun Ogunlaja, the Aladeshonyin of Noforija Kingdom, on a very successful 20-year reign and a happy and blissful birthday celebration in advance
Click to watch our video of the week
See Photos of Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja (JP):
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