Though it is about 73 years since the demise of the progenitor of the Ogunsanya Family of Ikorodu, Late Odofin Suberu Ogunsanya Oguntade, who reigned as Odofin of Ikorodu between 1937-1951, his memory literally came alive last Wednesday, 1st May as the Grand-children of the legend at home and in diaspora gathered from far and near to reignite the family bond.
To demonstrate their strong family bond, all attendees turned up at the carnival-like family re-union party in the special ‘aso-ebi’ uniform for the occasion.
The 2-in-1 event was also used to formally present the family documentary, chronicling the legend’s historic and impactful life and reign as Odofin of Ikorodu between 1937-1951.
A major highlight of the family re-union was the formal unveiling of the Odofin Suberu Ogunsanya Oguntade Genealogy Book featuring the legend’s expansive family tree, from the first to third generations.
The five chapter and 216 page book, compiled by Veteran Journalist and Publisher of Ikorodu News, Prince Ganny Awobajo was Published by Om’oba ‘Peju Akinyemi’s Viral Multi-Concepts (VMC) Ltd and was reviewed at the event by the Dean, Students Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan.
Similarly, the occasion also afforded the Ogunsanya Oguntade Family members a unique networking opportunity among themselves, particularly those who have never met one another before the event.
Patriarch of the Ogunsanya Family, Aremo Kamoru-deen Adeniyi Ogunsanya disclosed that the family re-union was a tradition they inherited from their fore-runners hence the need to sustain the legacy.
Corroborating Aremo, another grandson of the legendary Odofin Suberu Ogunsanya, Prince Sina Amokomowo went down memory lane, recalling how one of their late uncles and former Commissioner for Education and Justice in Lagos State, Adeniran Ogunsanya initiated the re-union party by hosting the entire family members to an annual Christmas party in his house.
The event climaxed with the presentation of a special Family Award to the Odofin of Ikorodu, and a grandson of Late Odofin Suberu Ogunsanya, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN for his outstanding achievement and numerous contributions he has made towards the development of Ikorodu Division as a whole.
The award was presented to the awardee by the family head, Aremo Kamoru-deen Adeniyi Ogunsanya, Aremo of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Speaking on the essence of the award, a retired Permanent Secretary, Former Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly also.a grandson of the legend, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru explained that the award was instituted to celebrate and honour any descendant of the Late Odofin Suberu Ogunsanya who does well for himself or herself, the family or Ikorodu Division in general.
Abiru assured that the award presentation has come to stay as a family tradition and would be presented to any deserving member of the Ogunsanya Oguntade Descendant Family at future re-union events.
