By Gilbert Ekezie
The traditional ruler of Orile Agege, Lagos State, Oba Abdul Akeem Agbedeyi, recently celebrated his 10 years on the throne. The event, which was attended by traditional rulers, political office holders, community leaders, captains of industry, religious leaders, communities, friends and well-wishers, took place at the NYSC Camp, Ipaja Road, Agege, Lagos State.
Addressing the guests, the traditional ruler expressed happiness and gratitude to God for sustaining him in the last 10 years. He noted that it has been challenging in the last 10 years, but said God took him thus far.
Dressed in a resplendent traditional regalia, the Oba could not hold his joy, but reciprocated the honour done to him through the celebration by exchanging pleasantries with guests.
Agbedeyi, who used the ceremony to bestow chieftaincy titles on some exceptional and prominent individuals in the area, said the titles was in recognition of their useful contributions towards the development Orile Agege locality and charged them not to relent. He commended all those who contributed in one way or the other to make his reign successful and peaceful so far and appealed to them not to relent.
One of the recepients of ‘Otun Amuludun’ of Orile Agege Kingdom, Chief Solomon Chukwu, expressed happiness for the honour done to him by the traditional ruler. He said the gesture would go a long way to spurring him to do more for the community and individuals within and outside the area.
He said: “I think the honour came as a result of my antecedents in the Orile Agege locality. Almost everyone, especially Ndigbo in Orile Agege know me as someone who has the passion to support and assist people in the area of welfare, maintenance of unity and peaceful co-existence. For the past four years, I have been purchasing GCE and WAEC forms for the less privileged among us. It is just to carry them along and give them sense of belonging. I will continue to do that because to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Chukwu, a businessman and member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Group in Lagos State, also expressed gratitude to God for the recognition as it makes him to know that people are watching whatever footsteps someone is making. “With the position, I now have more sense of belonging, I can easily walk to the Oba’s palace and my opinion on issues will be sought. It is indeed a reward of good work, to do more work and I are prepared for that,” he said.
He used the medium to advised Ndigbo in Lagos State to continue to support the programmes and activities of their host ethnic group. “Our forefathers told us that where one lives is where he protects and preserves. Lagos State has been a home for us and we need to protect and preserve it. We should support the government and people of the state to ensure that things get better,” he admonished.
An Igbo leader in Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, described the honour as a welcome development, as it was a way of paying someone back for all he has been doing.
He commended the Oba and the government of Lagos State for recognising and carrying Ndigbo along. “Ndigbo will continue to support the state to succeed,” he said.
Aguene advised Ndigbo to embrace the culture of showing more respect to their leaders like the Yoruba, as that encourages development and peace in the society.