At a simple but colourful ceremony, which held last week at the palace of Oniru, Iru, at Victoria Island in Lagos, the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Abdul-Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, ascended the throne of his forefathers as the 15th Oniru of Iruland.
At exactly 1:05pm on Sunday, Prince Lawal received the traditional staff of office as Oniru of Iruland, which is said to be one of the economic nerve-centres of Lagos State.
Oba Lawal, Abisogun II, following his selection by kingmakers and elders of Iruland as well as ratification of his nomination by the State Executive Council, succeeds the late Oba Idowu Abiodun, former Oniru of Iruland, who passed on in September 2019.
Oba Gbolahan Lawal was born on July 24, 1970 to late Chief T. A Lawal Akapo, the Ojora of Lagos (1977-1993) and Olori M.A. Lawal-Akapo.
He is a prince from the Ojora, Aromire Shokun and Abisogun branch of Oniru royal families in Lagos State.
It was gathered that only three ruling houses – Akiogun, Abisogun and Ogunyemi are recognised by the Customary Law Regulation Selection to the Oniru Chieftaincy of September 14, 1993.
Presenting the monarch to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for formal installation, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, explained that the process of selecting the new Oniru was fair and open to all contestants.
He said the choice of Lawal was well received by kingmakers and citizens of the kingdom.
The governor, at the installation ceremony, enjoined the new Oba to strengthen the existing bonds of unity for the overall development, peace and progress of the historic kingdom while he urged the people of Iruland to rally round the new Oba and join hands with him for the growth and progress of Iruland, and of Lagos State.
“Given the pedigree of His Royal Majesty, I have no doubt that his reign will be a progressive one,” he expressed optimism.
According to Sanwo-Olu, traditional rulers are playing very strategic roles in contemporary society, not only as symbols and custodians of traditions and cultures, but also as rallying points for all of society; agents of stability and development.
He also pointed out that the traditional institution predates all other systems of governance.
The governor pledged the full support of the state government towards the realization of the new Oba’s vision for Iru Kingdom.
“It is heart warming to see how the kingdom has grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades, rising to become one of the economic nerve-centers of Lagos State.
“Our administration will continue to accord this part of the state, like all others, the attention it deserves, in terms of infrastructure, economic empowerment, human capital development, and security.”
To Oba Lawal, his ascension to the throne is the icing on his public service career; affirming that none of the preceding benevolences of God has the same effect on him as his selection and installation as the 15th Oniru of Iruland.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Lawal said, “I consider it a divine call to succeed the legendary Oba Abiodun Idowu Oniru, who reigned for 25 years. Succeeding such an iconic monarch comes with its peculiar challenge.
“But then, of what essence is life without challenges? For the discerning, challenges are the real sparks that bring the best out of life.
“Undoubtedly, the ecstatic reactions that trailed my proclamation as the 15th Oniru of Iru, is an affirmation that it is God that truly crowns a King.
“The outpour of love and ceaseless goodwill messages has been amazing – vox populi, vox dei.
“Let me assure all that I would not take your support for granted,” he said, assuring that he will be fair and just to everyone.
According to Oba Lawal, his installation ceremony was symbolic because he was at the time of the celebration, a few weeks to his golden anniversary.
“I believe that God has given me a golden opportunity to write my name in gold as I reach a golden milestone. Secondly, I see my ascension to the throne as the icing on my illustrious public service career.”
While he assured that he will continue to work in close collaboration with the state government in ensuring the success of the THEMES Developmental Agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration; he promised that Iruland will continue to accommodate business development on all fronts and remain home for all tribes and races.
According to him, Iruland is very central to the commerce and economic development of Lagos State.
He therefore assured that Iruland will continue to align with the vision of its forebears for a cosmopolitan, thriving, and prosperous Lagos.
“Our vision is that Iruland will in no distant future rival the likes of Greater New York City in the United States of America.
“With my experience in public service, I will continue to work with others not only to bring more development to Iruland but the entire state.
“I promise to live the rest of my life for my people.
“I will work with fellow monarchs, chiefs, community leaders and all stakeholders for the unity of our people.
“I will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity as a people.
“Consequently, I pledge to invest resources in projects that will promote cultural renaissance in Yoruba land.
“I will spare no sweat in guaranteeing the advancement of the Yoruba culture and tradition.
“I will work with various stakeholders to achieve this,” he assured, as he praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for approving his selection.
He also hailed the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his years of mentoring in leadership and administration.
He extended the olive branch to his opponents and promised to pursue an open-door policy in leading the kingdom.
Oba Lawal started his public service career as a police officer and retired as Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He served three consecutive administrations in Lagos State as a Commissioner in the Ministries of Housing and Agriculture.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who sent his greetings to the new king through Governor Sanwo-Olu eulogised Lawal for his leadership qualities, praying his reign would usher in peace and prosperity in the kingdom.
Also, the Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, at the event said that Lawal’s installation as the 15th Oniru was ordained by God and was done in fulfilment of the wishes of the kingdom’s founding fathers.
The royal father, who went into the history of the kingdom, said the monarch was duly nominated and qualified for the position, having been a descendant of Aromire through Abisogun clan.
Oba Akiolu advised the new Oniru to extend arm of fellowship to his opponents to move the kingdom forward.
He urged Lawal to adopt open-door policy in directing the affairs of the kingdom, but admonished him not to tolerate advice that may promote division and cause friction among his subjects.
Akiolu said: “As you are ascending the throne of your fore fathers, I pray that your reign shall be long lasting.
“Now, you are the king, I urge all sons and daughters of this kingdom to join hands with you to move this land forward.
“I also advise you to personally make effort and gather all members of the ruling houses and citizens for the sake of unity.
Abisogun ruling house kicks
Meanwhile, one of the ruling families, the Omowumi Abisogun Oniru ruling family had rejected the installation of Oba Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru of Iruland.
The family has called on the Federal Government to prevail on the Lagos State government to reverse the installation of Lawal and choose one of them as the king of Iruland.
The head of the Omowunmi Abisogun Oniru ruling family, Alhaji Surajudeen Durosimi, during a protest at the Igbosere High Court, said that the entire Abisogun ruling house of Oniru descendants, as the next in line to the throne, unanimously reject the imposition of Oba Gbolahan Lawal as the Oniru of Iruland by Governor Sanwo-Olu, which according to him is a contravention of the enabling laws providing for the appointment of next in line in succession to the Oniru chieftaincy stool and the customary law regulation selection to the Oniru chieftaincy of Lagos of September 14, 1993.
According to him, Oba Lawal is not even qualified to contest the stool as he is only connected to the Oniru royal house through his mother’s side, a situation he said is forbidden by tradition for him to seek election to the throne in the first place.
In the litigation filed, the governor of Lagos State, the Secretary of Iru/Victoria Island Local Government and the Attorney General of Lagos State were served as defendants alongside other parties.
Counsel to the aggrieved family, Cornelius Nwachukwu, made it known that all parties have filed applications which are yet to be decided due to the lockdown.
The suit number LD/6681/JCMW/2020 is before Justice Owolabi Dabiri of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere.
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