ISALE EKO DESCENDANTS UNION DONATES MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO COMMEMORATE OBA AKIOLU’S 80TH BIRTHDAY.
The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union has extended warm congratulations to the esteemed Lagos community and beyond on the occasion of the 80th birthday of His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.
In a press statement signed by its Chairman, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, the IDU also announced the donation of medical supplies to the Iga Idungaran Community Health Centre to mark the birthday of the revered monarch.
The Union said the significant milestone is a testament to a lifetime of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to their beloved community.
Born on October 29, 1943, HRM Oba Akiolu is a distinguished alumnus of Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Surulere, and a graduate of law from the University of Lagos. With a remarkable 32-year career in the Nigeria Police Force, he ascended to the position of Assistant Inspector-General of Police in 1999. His glorious journey led him to be crowned as the 21st Oba of Lagos on May 24, 2003, succeeding the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, who reigned from 1965 to March 1, 2003.
The IDU said Oba Akiolu’s legacy is deeply interwoven with the history and identity of Lagos, saying his reign has been marked by wisdom, grace, and a profound dedication to the well-being of his subjects. The group insisted that under His Majesty’s leadership, Lagos has witnessed remarkable growth and development, and the city continues to thrive as a centre of commerce, culture, and tradition.
The group said Oba Akiolu is celebrated for his benevolence, candour, and bravery, stressing further that the monarch’s impact on the lives and well-being of the people of Lagos and Nigeria is profound.
IDU added that the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police should also be celebrated for his modernization efforts at the palace, which include the construction of a guest house, library, and health centre, adding that the Iga Idunganran Health Centre, funded entirely by the Oba, provides free healthcare services to the community.
“He has also been instrumental in securing employment opportunities for numerous Lagos indigenes within the Lagos State, Federal Government, and private organizations. Additionally, he has been at the forefront of the return of properties belonging to Lagos indigenes, including the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, from the Federal Government.
“Our revered monarch has been a resolute and effective leader, ensuring peace and harmony in his domain through timely and astute guidance to his subjects and governmental bodies. Oba Akiolu’s reign has witnessed the progress of his subjects in all aspects of human life, including the attainment of the highest offices in the nation.
“As the traditional custodian of our heritage, Oba Akiolu has been a source of inspiration and guidance to Isale Eko and the wider Lagos community. His commitment to preserving our cultural heritage while also promoting progress and modernization is a testament to his visionary leadership. We wish His Royal Majesty, Rilwan Akiolu 1, many more years of purposeful leadership as the Oba of Lagos, filled with good health and tranquillity,” Kazeem was quoted in the press statement.
RE: MEETING WITH IDUMAGBO COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION CLEANING EXERCISE OF ENTIRE ISALE-EKO COMMUNITY
On Friday 8th September 2023 at the IDU Secretariat, some members of the Executive committee of the Isale Eko Descendants Union met with members of the Idumagbo Community on the directive of Alaiyeluwa Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1.
The discussions centred around the concerns of Alaiyeluwa on the cleanliness and sanitation in the Isale Eko Community. Kabiyesi had instructed that the Idumagbo community liaise with IDU on how a sustained cleanup of the environment can be maintained.
We also discussed collaboration and synergy on various upcoming programmes of the IDU and the Idumagbo community.
It was agreed that the environmental sanitation should be carried out on Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th with active collaboration of LAWMA and other stakeholders.
On Sunday Morning 10th September, 2023. The Executive Committee of Isale-Eko Descendants Union led by our indefatigable Chairman Mr. Adeniji Kazeem SAN joined the elders, exco & members of Idumagbo community for an on the spot assessment of the tomb of our revered ERELU KUTI situated at Erelu square and other adjoining streets namely: Olugbani street, Oroyinyin Street, Shagbemi street, Ojo-Giwa street, Dosunmu street, Idumagbo avenue, Bombata complex, Oko Awo street , Idoluwo street , Princess street and Isale Gangan street
to supervise and ensure that the entire isale-eko community becomes cleaner and healthier.
Below are some pictures from the two events.
PRINCE ADEWALE TAORID OJORA FICSSM FCICN
General Secretary
The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) has paid a visit to Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Aremu Akiolu 1, seeking his support for the union’s programmes on education, urban regeneration, culture and health.
IDU, established as far back as 1939 to secure a better future for sons and daughters of Isale-Eko origin, observed infrastructure deficit in the indigenous community, thereby calling upon the State government to address the infrastructure deficit in the area.
The Chairman of IDU, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN) made the observation recently when the newly inaugurated members of IDU’s executive committee paid courtesy visit to Akiolu in Iga Idunganran, the traditional residence of the Lagos monarch.
Other members of IDU’s executive committee on the visit include its Vice Chairman, Mr. Aderemi Bashua SAN; General Secretary, Prince Adewale Ojora; Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Dale Ajayi-Bembe; Welfare Secretary, Mr. Yomi Suenu and Chairman-designate of the IDU Culture Committee, Mr. Akinwale Irokosu.
Alongside the monarch, who is also the patron of the union, several white cap chiefs led by the Olori Oloye and Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Ajose, equally attended the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Kazeem acknowledged His Royal Majesty for his leadership and sought his support for the union’s programmes on education, urban regeneration, culture and health.
Kazeem, also former Attorney-General of Lagos State, observed that Isale Eko was in dire need of attention as its roads were collapsing due to poor drainage, flooding and poor sanitation.
Welcoming IDU’s new executives to his palace, Akiolu advised them to work closely with the state and local governments as well as other stakeholders to address the poor sanitary conditions in the Isale Eko community.
Akiolu, also Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, emphasised the significance of improving the environment while stating his fear of an epidemic of the level experienced in 1918, if the issue of the environment is not addressed.
The monarch, who will turn 80 on October 29, directed that IDU should be the coordinating and umbrella body for all the various Indigenous groups in the community so they can speak with one strong voice.
He paid glowing tribute to the exemplary work of former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and President of the International Court of Justice, late Prof. Taslim Olawale Elias, GCON, who pioneered the Union’s scholarship Fund in 1972.
He explained how the late jurist set up the Fund, then as Isale-Eko Descendants Scholarship Fund Committee, to support the indigenous people of Lagos and guarantee a befitting status for them socially, intellectually and politically.
He urged IDU’s newly inaugurated executives to follow the footsteps of the late jurist, admonishing them to use their position for the promotion of its goals and objectives only and not extraneous issues.
The monarch prayed for the new executives, urging them to discharge their duties in fear of God and work actively for the betterment of the community.