History was made in Ipakodo Kingdom, an ancient community in Ikorodu West LCDA yesterday as the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa, FNSE laid the foundation for a new ultra-modern Oba Sekumade Palace, Ipakodo.
The N200 Million Naira Palace construction project was solely funded and sponsored by the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL), an Ikorodu Division based Peace, Security & Development driven body, chaired by High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN Odofin of Ikorodu.
The historic event was graced by heads and representatives of all the five ruling houses of Ipakodo Kingdom, traditional chiefs, Baales and honourarry chiefs of Ipakodo Kingdom, who joined Oba Sotonwa to celebrate the unique and historic milestone being recorded during his reign.
In his welcome address at the event yesterday, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa FNSE, revealed that solicitations have earlier been made to the Lagos State government for the construction of a new Sekumade Palace, but considering the number of projects on its plate, including the planned construction of a new Palace at Ikeja amongst others, understandably the government turned down the request.
Oba Sotonwa noted that his determination to see the project actualized made him approach the Chairman of Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL), High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN who immediately gave an affirmative response.
The Monarch expressed his deep appreciation to the progressive organisation committed to the socio-economic development of Ikorodu Division for taking the burden off his heart by taken it upon itself to undertake the project as the sole financiers.
Oba Sotonwa further stressed that a befitting Palace must be one with a comfortable residential accommodation for the Royal Father.
In the words of Oba Sekumade, ‘Truth be told, what we have here is really not a palace. We have only been managing this current structure. Hence the need for a new, improved palace, befitting of a King’.
While the foundation-laying ceremony was graced by dignitaries including the Chairman Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju and the BOT Chairman, IDPIL, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya SAN, ably represented by the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru amongst others, the Monarch noted that it was also an intentionally strategic decision by him as the Chief Host of the event, to have invited representatives of the 5 Ruling Houses, recognised by the government, in Ipakodo Kingdom in no particular order, namely: Osomeku ruling house, represented by Engr Ganiyu Saka, Saogun ruling House, represented by , Odubi ruling house, represented by Prince Tajudeen Bamimosu, Mbashe ruling house, represented by Arc. Taiwo Kara and Tikare Ruling House, represented by Dr Taiwo Hassan.
Oba Sotonwa stated that they were invited for history and records purposes as well as to give each one of them a sense of belonging, noting that the Palace project was a collective patrimony.
The royal father explained further, that there were five ruling houses in Ipakodo Kingdom entitled to the Sekumade of Ipakodo stool. Hence, the new palace did not belong to him, neither did it belong to his ruling, the Osomeku Ruling House nor the other ruling houses, but the palace belonged to the good people of the Ipakodo Kingdom solely. An assurance of his commitment to the people of Ipakodo.
The Chairman of the IDPIL, ably represented by the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, in his remarks also relayed that Ipakodo Kingdom and its revered Monarch, the Sekumade were dear to his heart and that of the IDPIL Chairman, hence the decision to embark on the palace project.
He equally eulogized the monarch for being a great leader who also played significant roles in the growth and development of the careers of many Ikorodu Division indigenes, when he was in active service with the Lagos State Government.
Abiru further attested to the goodness of the good heart of Oba Sotonwa and the monarch’s loyalty to his people, further showering him with praise.
The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon Sulaiman Kazeem Olanrewaju in his brief remarks commended and appreciated the IDPIL for their numerous developmental projects across Ikorodu Division. He expressed gratitude to the body for undertaking the reconstruction of the Oba Sekumade Palace, describing the body as partners-in-progress in the development of Ikorodu West LCDA.
Similarly, Aremo of Ipakodo Kingdom, Prince Ganiyu Olukayode Saka also expressed appreciation to the IDPIL, on behalf of the ruling houses, Sekumade-in-Council and the entire good people of Ipakodo Kingdom.
Appreciations went from all and sundry not excluding the Sekumade of Ipakodo, to the IDPIL for the good works it’s doing across the Division.
