EPE News

New Alara Of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Promises Positive Change In Ilara Kingdom

Published

4 years ago

Aug 10, 2020.

It is said that the deployment of personal resources in the pursuit of the public good, is a mark of true statesmanship. This saying readily reminds one of Prince Folarin Ogunsanwo.

Here is one man who has demonstrated through time, capacity as a strong pillar of the destitute in the Epe Kingdom.

Today, across the length and breadth of the kingdom, enthusiasm is high, being that this scepter of hope is being enthroned as the 55th ALARA of Ilara, an ancient traditional Kingdom in Yoruba land.

Though the ILARA, in its present status, has limited land area, it nonetheless has an age-long heritage from Ile-Ife, the famed cradle of the Yoruba race. From records, Adesowon, later known as the first Oba Alara, is a prince who migrated from Ile-Ife, and as it was customary in those days, to establish his kingdom outside Ile-Ife.

He had embarked on that expedition, accompanied by his slave, many followers, and a goddess, known as ADUREN as a guide. Legend has it that Alara had many stops on the way, in the course of settling down, but each time was urged on after a short spell by ADUREN. At each stopover, however, Alara would leave behind some in his entourage, and this happened at such places as Igbogun, Ise, Ilagbo, Ide, Oni, Ita Obaiye, Talara Etimi, Talara Oke, and Abigi.

Alara moved through the riverine areas to finally establish his kingdom at Epe, where he later bore Logon, Labolo, Kitanyi, and Kemolu. But no sooner did the four children reach puberty than the Alara’s Aduren ordered him to leave Epe and move upland.

He obeyed but left behind many of his subjects, amongst whom he shared the land at Epe. The area was then occupied by Ajagannabe, Ehindi, Itungbehin, and Etitun Quarters.

The importance of Alara of Ilara stool cannot be over-stretched as it could be seen with each successive administration, both Military and Civilian either in the former Western region of Nigeria or in the Lagos State recognizing its unique position not only in Epe Division but also in the state as a whole.

The Alara was recognized as an Oba and always consulted by the then Colonial Administration on all major administrative matters concerning Epe Division. Before and during the advent of the British colonial administration, he was the only recognized Oba in the whole of the Epe Division.

With the 1951 Constitution, the old colonial province was merged with then Western Region of Nigerian. When the regional Government created a House of Chiefs, Oba Alara was one of the foundation members, up to 1956. When Epe Division was in the Western Region of Nigeria, the Alara was both the Chairman of Eredo Chieftaincy Committee and the President of the then Eredo District Council by his office of Oba Alara of Ilara.

In 1975, the Alara and Onibeju were members of the Council of Obas and Chiefs of Lagos State representing the Epe division.

To date, the Alara had maintained the membership of the council and is now one of the four permanent vice-chairmen of the council of Obas and chiefs in the State.

His Royal Highness, Prince Folarin Ogunsanwo, was unveiled as the 55th Alara of Ilara by the Council of Obas on Tuesday, 19th November 2019, at the Epe Council Chambers after the glorious demise of his predecessor, the 54th Alara of Ilara, His Royal Highness, Alaiyeluwa Oba A.O.Adesanya in October 2018. That put to rest, a 12-month controversy of who becomes the king of Ilara, Epe among the ruling houses.

This revered Prince from the Telade (Alara) ruling house of Ibonwon emerged via a unanimous decision of the Community’s Committee of five kingmakers.

Born on the 29th day of September, 1967, Prince Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between 1984 and 1988 and bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, Master of Science (MSc) in Economics from the University of Lagos and Masters degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the Lagos State University.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management & Member, Institute of Directors.

He was former Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.

The new Oba started his career with a stint in the banking sector before moving to a government establishment where he plied his trade as a tax administrator for twenty-five years, rising through the ranks to the top.

A genius in taxation, Ogunsanwo rose to become the Executive Chairman of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) where he served between September 2015 and August 2016.

It is to be noted that he served with utmost discipline, leaving enviable legacies. Even the ploy to taint his personality as he stepped down from the LIRS was deservedly dismissed by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which found him innocent of every accusation.

At the LIRS he:

Recorded the highest internally generated revenue of 2.4 billion (Jan-Feb 2016) of the targeted 25 billion for the period
Introduced Electronic filing of tax returns by employers of labour
Redesigned, the 6-page assessment form to 2 pages
Established additional three tax offices at Ibeju, Amuwo-Odofin, and Tejuosho to bring revenue centers closer to the people
Established LIRS tax academy for training and saw to the retraining of staff to improve their customer relations and service delivery to the populace
Introduced a tax audit operational manual to improve revenue generation
Served as a member of the Joint Tax Board, which is the highest tax body in the country (September 2015 – August 2016).

Other achievements recorded by the tax manager include:

Provision of performance bonus for staff across the board
Introduction of monthly revenue mobilization
Introduction of cooperative and thrift society for staff
Introduction of Staff Union in line with Civil service practice
Introduction of HMO scheme for staff.
Increase in salaries of drivers and office assistants

Similarly, Prince Ogunsanwo extended his hand of grace to consultants and contractors as follows:

Registration of tax consultants to ensure only certified practitioners are engaged.
Introduction of direct tax credit to tax consultants.

Ogunsanwo’s Corporate Social Responsibility status is as tall as his personality, and he has genuinely assisted many indigent people in his community with scholarships, and helped in providing social amenities to the community.

It is on record that the incoming ALARA, His Royal Majesty, had before now, supported efforts at easing power challenges in the neighborhood through facilitating the distribution of transformers and the donation of generating sets to churches, amongst several other developmental interventions.

He has, in addition, single-handedly created job opportunities in the civil service that provided sources of employment for several.

Outstandingly humane and humble, Prince Olafolarin is both people-centered and patriotic.

Despite being very competent and well qualified for the throne, yet Prince, Olufolarin was never associated with overzealousness of becoming a king.

Instead, it was his outstanding success in the field of tax administration, passion for the progress of his homestead over the years, and irresistible pressures from all quarters to place a well-deserved personality that materialized in his ultimate ascension to the throne, triumphing over others.

The traditional rites for Prince Olafolarin’s investiture took place on Sunday, August 2nd, 2020, at Odo-ayan Mojoda, Epe Lagos State, which was graced by crème de la crème.

While conversing with Ekohotblog, the newly crowned King said that he did not need magic to change the world as we carry all the power need within ourselves; stressing that he would make things happen while maintaining that he is in control of change, he believes in change and the power it has to unite and ignite the entire kingdom.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that the new Monarch would be installed and presented with the staff of office by the Lagos State Government on Thursday, 6th August 2020, after the traditional rites period at IPEBI (seclusion) which prepares an an Oba for his responsibilities which he embarked upon on Sunday.

Commenting on the traditional rites for the installation, one of the Chiefs of Ilara, Dr Kekere stated that the traditional rite is still in progress and will last for 7 days.

As the cultural deeds of the Kingdom, the king is expected to visit aesthetic places after the coronation, which he did.

Stressing on the efficacy of the rituals, another Chief, the Oluowo of Osugbo, Kabiru Olukoya said that the coronation was sacrosanct because if the king did not perform the rites, he could never be king nor sit on the throne for a long time even if he is elected and crowned by the government.

Since the Alara stool is highly revered and honored in Yoruba land, and traceable to the cradle of Yoruba civilization, Ile-Ife, it is expected that the coming of Prince Ogunsanwo has ushered in a glimmer of hope for one of the extant traditional Kingdoms in Yorubaland.

Indeed, the people of Epe Kingdom will now know peace because a Philosopher has ascended the throne of his ancestors, as the 55th Alara of Ilara.

The elation in town is understandable, for their king is bringing to royal office, impressive public service record, passionate personal disposition, great influence in the right quarters, and most importantly, development-oriented mindset.

What is more? The reputable Omoluabi and Atobatele, Ogunsanwo, has the backing of notable traditional rulers and a good number of members of the political class.

As it is, Ilara and the Epe Kingdom will now know peace; and in only a matter of time begin to compete favorably with others in real development as a Philosopher, Prince Ogunsanwo has ascended the throne of his ancestors, as the 55th Alara of Ilara.

Indeed, things have no option than begin to swirl in his direction for the good of his people.

See Photos: