The worth of any man (and of course any woman) is the
impact such person has made on humanity. One individual whose contributions to
humanity, both in his Epe community, where he was born 55 years ago to the
family of Chief Murtala Atanda Ikuforiji and Alhaja Ibironke Ikuforiji(Nee
Shabi) as well as Lagos State, where he has been the longest-serving Speaker of
the House of Assembly, cannot be quantified; is the Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji.
No wonder, most
people who knew him in his adolescence and teenage years, especially at the
Local Authority Central School, Epe and Epe Grammar School, Epe; where he set a
new record in the old Epe Division by breaking a four-year jinx as the only
candidate that obtained Division 1 out of the 105 students that sat for the
examination in 1975, have not found his political ascendancy a fluke.
To these people, who
also followed Mr. Speaker’s rise in the private sector before service to
humanity and politicking came calling in 2003, Rt. Hon. Ikuforiji is indeed a
round peg in a round hole! It is safe to conclude therefore that, Mr. Speaker’s
adroitness in managing the Legislative arm in Lagos State, has contributed a
great deal to the successes that have been a recurring decimal in the State,
since the latter part of the era of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and especially,
that of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). After all, accolades and encomiums
being showered on the Executive arm of the State, would not have been merited,
if the State’s Legislators have failed in their duty to enact good laws for the
progress and sustainable development of Nigeria’s most economically-viable
State.
It was therefore a
home calling for Rt. Hon. Ikuforiji when he went to Ketu kingdom in Epe to
receive one of the highest Chieftaincy titles in the community, Aare Alaketu of
Ketu Kingdom. Alongside his amiable and resourceful wife, Pastor (Mrs.)
Olumayowa Abeke Ikuforiji, their entrance into the RCM Primary School, where the
installation by the HRM Oba Adegboyega Adefowora took place, was regal! Led by
the Boys Brigade band whose drum beats and songs could be heard over a mile
from that venue, the Aare and Yeye Alaketu of Ketu Kingdom went round the venue
to greet friends, associates, politicians, traditional rulers as well as
wellwishers within and outside the community. After greeting and acknowledging
cheers, the Aare and Yeye Aare Alaketu went to pay homage to the Oba Alaketu of
Ketu kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora. Thereafter, they sat down on the royal
seat.
OVATION learnt that the events planners, B Events which
is owned by Bola Awosika and been contracted to make the event a grand one had
been on ground, one week, planning assiduously and erecting the magnificent
Marquee which was also beautifully decorated. Awosika , who is used to planning
such A-list events, has already gotten in touch with other stakeholders to make
the event a memorable. Four caterers were contracted Oval Tart, Demo Kitchen as
well as Creative Food and Cocktails. Gbemi Deserts was also on stand-by as well as Fruitful Wago and Veggies whose fruit baskets were
irresistible. King of Small chops, Laredo also
lent his weight and Events Watch ensured the venue was fully secured.
The installation
ceremony attracted the celebrations within and outside the State. The Speaker
of Ogun State, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, who was dressed in a flowing
white Agbada and his counterpart from Oyo State, Rt. Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu were
around to support their Lagos State counterpart, whose other 39 Honourable
members led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Musibau Kolawole Taiwo. In fact, the
Chairman of the Committee on Information in the House, Hon. Olusegun Olulade,
who was installed as the Otunba Mayegun of Ketu kingdom, days before, had
gotten to the venue as early as 7 am to ensure that the place was set for the
installation.
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