After 19 years of protracted legal battle among ruling houses on the right candidate to fill the vacant stool of Sekumade of Ipakodo, there is a breath of fresh air and new dawn currently blowing across the ancient community as the community finally gets a substantive Oba.
This development is coming almost 19 years since the demise of the last traditional ruler, Oba Lasisi Olugbenga Hassan Jimbo who joined his ancestors in May 1999.
The entire Ikorodu division, Ipakodo community in particular has been a beehive of activities since the announcement of Engr Bashir Shotonwa as the Oba-Elect of Ipakodo, following the approval of his candidature by the Lagos state government executive council, recently.
As a demonstration of their acceptance of the choice of the monarch, indigenes, residents and indeed princes from various Sekumade ruling houses trooped to the Ipakodo ferry terminal venue to be part of the historic occasion.
Oba Engr Bashir Aremu Shotonwa was presented with the instruments of office at exactly 12:45 noon by Hon Muslim Folami, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, on behalf of the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
The commissioner, in his speech reiterated the commitment of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to the traditional institutions of kingship, stressing that, the current Lagos state government have installed a total of 21 Obas and 128 Baales since it came into office.
Shortly after the presentation of the staff of office and certificate to the new monarch, the excited crowd burst out with the shouts of K-a-b-i-y-e-s-I while cultural entertainers took over the venue entertaining guests with sonorous songs.
The elated monarch who could not hide his joy took to the dancing floor alongside his beautiful wife, moving from one part of the large venue to the other to exchange pleasantries with guests who came to honour him and his community.
In his acceptance speech, the monarch commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu for their efforts at resolving the legal battle. The monarch however, described the past 19 years of legal battle for the throne as wasted years.
Prominent among traditional rulers at the event were the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and Paramount ruler of Ikorodu division, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe and Obateru of Egbin Kingdom, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo among other Baales and Chiefs from across Ikorodu division communities.
