LOOMING CRISIS IN IGBOGBO KINGDOM, A CALL FOR SERIOUS CAUTION ! By Shakiru Seidu. September 17, 2019.

In the recent past, my Media Organisation, ‘MegaXpression Community Magazine' published an article titled, 'IGBOGBO, AN ANCIENT COMMUNITY OF OVER 500 YEARS, WHO DID WE OFFEND?', where it was itemized that various developmental works and human capacities development are taking the centre stage. It was emphasized that in the article of how the developmental works are gradually bridging the gaps of retardation, retrogression and hatred towards great aspirations. Business and economic activities are fast growing; enhancing growth and development.

In the next ten years, many people who had once lived in this town will surely miss their ways when they return, if the rate at which we are pursuing development is pragmatic and supported by all. In fact, we are beginning to be enjoying the fresh air of newness blowing around all and sundry in the land and this is why there is an unquantifiable peaceful coexistence among the indigenes, strangers, residents and every progressive in the land are unanimously promoting the values of the kingdom.

Paradoxically, a publication in The Nation Newspaper, dated Sunday 15th of September, 2019, caught my attention, pierced my heart and causing it to be bleeding profusely. A supposed aggrieved family, (Ijaolu Osho Ojuba), who claimed to be the sole heir to the throne of HRM Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali's current administration. 

The family has accused Oba Kasali and has claimed that the current Monarch is a non indigene. I find this story so ridiculous, unpalatable, unwarranted, anti progress, a grave distraction and the attempts to disrupt the transformational work that has began in Igbogbo and discredit the enviable name of the Community. 

If this alleged claim is true and of which without any iota of doubt is fictitious, defamatory and unethical at this crucial moment that all hands are on deck to bolster the king and all the like minds who are fighting tooth and nail to put our kingdom in a vantage position in the world map. Perhaps, many are yet to realize some works that are ongoing; apart from the proposed express road, there are presence of financial institutions while others are taking toll to come in. The Mobile Police force, the proposed immigration office is a work in process and many more laudable projects that are in the offing, all in Igbogbo land. 

Why is it at this crucial hour that a family will arise to discredit the office of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo? It will be a conspiracy of silence if I keep mute at this juncture. Some people are naturally embittered about the spate of growth in this land. Why are they beating drums of war deliberately. We really don't need this distraction now. HRM Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali of Igbogbo and his Council of Chiefs, it's  should be nothing than support of the generality of the people in order to move this community forward rather than dragging it aground.

There are appropriate ways of resolving conflicts if there is any, rather than resulting to a public show of shame to malign the ancient Community for the quest for relevance. Where are the Igbogbo Kingmakers? Is Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee aware of this? We cannot afford to go back to the years of bloodbath, hostility and hatred that bedevilled this kingdom for decades. IT ALL STARTED THIS WAY!

The ugly scenario of 1983 is still very fresh in my memory, when we were paraded for a March Past to welcome Governor Lateef Kayode Jankande. It was a terrible story when I saw how the blood of Igbogbo indigenes was spilled on the ground, ears were cut, heads were battered, in fact, it was an exhibition of Oogun on that black day, I still remember some of the lives that were lost during the crisis, all because of the Stool of Adeboruwa. Thanks to late Micheal Otedola, the then Governor of Lagos State, who settled the crisis in 1992. It's not impossible to predict the start of a war but the aftermath of it may be inexplicable. 

I am therefore appealing for calm if anyone is aggrieved at any point; they should approach the appropriate quarters rather than what we are reading on the pages of national dailies about our dear community.

I hereby seize this opportunity to appeal to His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Sotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and other Royal Heads in Ikorodu Division to come together, tell Olowo Eko, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu and His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to put their minds at rest and allow Ikorodu Divisional Chieftancy Committee to wade into the matter before it degenerates into tribal tsunami. The supposed aggrieved authentic family which claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo should be called to order or to a round table conference for dialogue; there is solution in dialogue.

It is very obvious that Igbogbo does not have common history. There are different versions of Igbogbo's history which is bad for an ancient Community of over 500 years. We are yet to come to a logical conclusion on the ruling Houses. We must come together and agree because, WE ARE NOT READY FOR ANOTHER CRISIS IN IGBOGBO.

It will not be out of place for HRM Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali to have stepped on toes in his quest to transform Igbogbo land. Everyone should consider the benefits and gains that will accrue in the long run which the posterity will not in anyway forget our efforts in such a hurry. Let's not focus on sentiments.

On a final note, I humbly write this article to all the true sons and daughters of the soil, the members of IDEA, First Club, Elite Brothers Club, other technocrats, Senior Citizens, Security Chiefs, political and traditional leaders, religious organizations, business moguls and a host of others, to rise up to fight the beast that is bent on retarding Igbogbo kingdom in order to return her to a primitive village.

To be continued....

 SHAKIRU SEIDU

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, MegaXpression Community Magazine.