Olu of Araromi, Oba Ajijola Felicitates With Alara of Epe
. On His Elevation To Chairmanship Position of Epe Council of Obas and Chiefs

The Olu of Araromi Elerangbe Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola has felicitated with the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo on his appointment as Chairman of Epe Division of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The Alara stool which has a long cherished history dating back to the 18th century was highly revered among the descendants of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba.
Oba Ogunsanwo, a former senior civil servant in the Lagos State Civil Service thus became the 55th monarch of the ancient kingdom when he was installed by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-olu on the 20th August 2020.
By divine providence, the Alara was accorded utmost recognition as the permanent chairman of Epe Division of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Speaking on this remarkable occasion, the Elerangbe monarch. Prof. Ajijola expressed his delight at the turn of events.
"I join your numerous admirers in felicitating with you on this remarkable occasion. Now you have taken your rightful position among the comity of traditional rulers in the state.
"Your restoration as the Permanent Chairman of Council of Obas and Chiefs as well as your elevation to the enviable position of Permanent Deputy Chairmanship of Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs is a testament to the long cherish history and pride of place of the Alara stool which God Almighty has entrusted in your care.
"On behalf of my family and the good people of Araromi Elerangbe, I express our profound felicitation to you. It is our hope and prayers that God will preserve and sustain you with good health and long peaceful reign like your predecessor who reigned for 60 years," the Elerangbe monarch intoned.

 Araromi Monarch Felicitates With Youngest King In Lagos, Oba Lawal-Bello Over Coronation Anniversary

The Olu of Araromi Elerangbe Kingdom, HRM Oba (Prof.) Abdulhameed Adejoro Ajijola has congratulated the newly crowned traditional ruler of Isheri Olofin Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello (Olanwa1 Olofin V) on the occasion of his three months coronation anniversary.

It would be recalled on 11th December, 2024, Prince Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello became the youngest traditional ruler in Lagos State when he was installed the new Oba of Isheri Olofin Kingdom in a landmark event held at the Secretariat of Egbe/Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA). 

At the age of 37, the new king thus became the youngest monarch not only in Lagos State but also in the history of the ancient Awori town following the demise of the Late Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun who died in 2023 at the age of 92.

On Sunday, 20th April 2025 all roads would lead to Community Primary School Ground, Isheri Olofin, Alimosho, Lagos as Oba Olasunkanmi marks his three months on the throne with lots of funfair.

Consequently, Oba (Prof) Ajijola has added his voice to the growing list of numerous admirers and well-wishers congratulating the Isheri Olofin monarch on the epoch occasion.

In a passionate congratulatory message, the Araromi Elerangbe monarch expressed his heart felt felicitation with the young king describing his ascension to the Isheri Olofin throne as truly divined.

"Congratulations to you on your three months coronation anniversary," Oba Ajijola began. "I felicitate with you and the entire people of Isheri Olofin Kingdom on this historic occasion.

"Many communities and traditional institutions are putting young people at the helms of affairs and yours is not different. That you have ascended the throne of your forebears at a very young age offers a unique attraction for the growth and progress of your kingdom.

"Your interventions in the socio-economic realm of governance since your ascension unto the throne bears testament to your modern and innovative approach of connecting with the people of your kingdom.

"It is my wish and prayer that God Almighty who has annointed you for the great task of leading Isheri Olofin on the path of glory would give you the grace of longevity and good health like your forebears who have ruled over this kingdom to accomplish your dreams and aspirations for the entire people of Isheri Olofin.

"Kabiyesi, may your reign be peaceful, pleasant and progressive as you join the league of traditional rulers who are working tirelessly to bring growth and development to our various communities as well as upholding our cultural heritage. Once again, I felicitate with you," Oba Ajijola wrote.

 Oba Ajijola Mourns Olofa's Mum

. Says: 'Iya Ijebu' Lived
A Worthy Life of Emulation'

Oba Abdulhameed Adejoro Ajijola, the traditional ruler of Araromi Elerangbe Kingdom has sympathised with the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II over the death of his mother, Alhaja Hawawu Awele Gbadamosi.

Alhaja Gbadamosi better known as 'Iya Ijebu' died in the evening of Saturday 5th April 2025 after 94 fulfilling years of building capacity for national development.

The Elerangbe monarch was among the early callers who shared the grief with the Olofa over the passage of his mother.

In his condolence message to the Offa monarch, Oba Ajijola expressed his deep grief over the demise of the king's mother whom he described as classical example of true motherhood.

In his words: "I know this is not the best of times for your Imperial Majesty. I share in your grief and I also  share in your loss. 

"No one prays to lose darling ones especially a loving, caring and dutiful mothers such as yours. But we are consoled by the fact that 'Iya Ijebu' lived a very good life worthy of emulation in kindness, love, caring, industry and service to humanity."

"I do understand the void created by this sudden passage but be comforted by the assurance she has gone to rest with the saints in heaven.

"Above all Kabiyesi, be comforted by the divine grace that you survived her and she did not weep over you. Not many are accorded this special privilege- a reason to be grateful to God Almighty for the gift of life and sustenance.

"On this note, I join your numerous friends, acquittances and admirers at home and in the Diapora in condoling with you over the demise of your loving mother.

"I pray the almighty God would grant you the fortitude to bear this loss. Kabiyesi, please accept my heart felt sympathy," he wrote.

The late Alhaja Hawawu Gbadamosi has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Daily prayers and supplication for the repose of her soul has began leading up to the eight-day Fridau prayer expected to hold on Sunday 13th April, 2025 at the Olofa Palace, Offa 

 OUR NEW KING IS NOT A CRIMINAL

Isolo Chiefs Rise In Defence of Oba Shekoni

Isolo traditional chiefs have stoutly defended the choice of Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi Shekoni as the new Osolo of Isolo.

The chiefs passed the vote of confidence on the new monarch on Monday 7th April 2025 during the ninth day coronation ceremony held at the new palace in Isolo.

In separate interviews, the chiefs debunked rumours suggesting Oba Shekoni is a criminal not worthy of the exalted throne of Isolo. This is coming on the heels of a viral video in which the then Prince Abiodun Shekoni was handcuffed by police detectives over a land dispute.

Speaking on the viral video, Chief Yahya Lawal Arowooye, the Agbaakin of Isolo who incidentally was a contestant to the Osolo throne said the allegation is baseless and unfounded.

According to him, the allegation is the handwork of detractors who are bent on tarnishing the name and integrity of Oba Shekoni. "We have not installed a criminal as being speculated because Oba Shekoni is a man of integrity and impeccable character.

"What happened is purely a land dispute within the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family at Ajao Estate. As we speak, no court has pronounced him guilty of such allegation. Hence, it remains in the realm of mere speculation. We all know the overzealous nature of the police sometimes. Those behind the video are only out to tarnish his image and I expect the state government to call those behind it for questioning.

"For us in Isolo, we have installed our new king with the consent and approval of the state government. Detractors only want to destabilize the smooth succession to the Osolo throne. But thank God Isolo is a non-violence community and we are moving on," Chief Agbaakin said.

On his part, the Lisa of Isolo, High Chief Akibu Aregbe also poured cold water on the allegation. "The allegation is pure nonsense. Our new king is not a criminal. For those involved in land matters, this is no big deal because disputes over land matters is a normal occurrence. We have installed a new king and we have all accepted him because the crowd that daily thronged his palace since his installation attest to his acceptability.

"Those behind the video do not love Isolo. If 15 people contested for the throne, only one person would eventually emerge and Oba Shekoni is the chosen one. What I expect from other contestant is for them to rally round the new king to move the town forward if they truly love Isolo. But character asassination is not desirable for our town, this time around" he said.

Also speaking on the matter, Isolo Regent, Chief Wasiu Arowooye, who incidentally was also a contestant to the throne thanked God and Isolo deities for the smooth transition. "Since Oba Shekoni's emergence as the new Osolo of Isolo, we have all cooperated with him especially me because we all promised to cooperate with whoever emerges as the new king because all we wanted is for the progress and development of Isolo.

"The rumour making the round is not true because there is no rancour in Isolo. I therefore implore other contestants to join hands with the new king to move Isolo forward." He concluded.

For Chief Kazeem Ewedairo, the Ajiroba of Isolo, Oba Shekoni was crowned legally by the state government at the state Secretariat, Alausa. "He is not a hooligan as being portrayed. He is eminently qualified to ascend the throne because he is from a royal family like other contestants. The photos and the videos are sponsored to tarnish his image. We know those behind it and their intentions.

"Why would the police handcuffed a suspect and record him on video only to post the video on the internet if they are not part of the conspiracy. That is what baffles us. We know what steps to take on the matter but we were being restrained by the interventions of some people in the matter," says Ajiroba of Isolo.

Oba Shekoni became the new monarch of the ancient Awori town on Friday 28th March, 2025 following his crowning and installation by the state government in a ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Alausa Secretariat, Lagos.

 PRESS STATEMENT BY THE HEAD OF OJO ORISADEKO ASALU-ELEMO ROYAL FAMILY OF ISOLO, PRINCE MONSURU AGBABIAKA ON THE VIRAL VIDEO OF PRINCE BIODUN SHEKONI

The attention of the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family of Isolo has been drawn to a viral video footage in which Prince Issa Abiodun Shekoni Faronbi was handcuffed by police detectives over a land matter.

Ordinarily, we would not have dignified the authors and sponsors of the viral video with a response but in order to correct the wrong impression being cast in the minds of right thinking members of the public, we are compelled to state emphatically that the video was posted on the social media ostensibly to tarnish the good image and integrity of the newly installed Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi Shekoni, the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom.

The viral video is the latest in the series of calculated attempts by disgruntled opponents led by one Alhaji Dayo Aduke Thomas to stop His Royal Majesty from ascending the throne of his forefathers.

But this did not come as a surprise as Dayo Thomas and his cohorts had earlier failed in their bid to remove Prince Shekoni as Secretary of the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family over spurious allegations which were dismissed by the family. Dayo Aduke Thomas is a known keen supporter of one of the aspirants to the Osolo throne. It is on record that he has never hidden his disdain for Prince Shekoni and would stop at nothing to ensure he never ascend the throne by cooking up pot of lies and character assassination. His subterfuge moves to disparage the character of Prince Shekoni is well known to the family. He had unsuccessfully orchestrated the removal plot to favour his preferred candidate to the Osolo throne. But he could not change the course of destiny as Prince Shekoni through the divine grace of God is today the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom.

Indeed, the import of the video with all intent and purposes is riddled with malice, desperation and character assassination. For the avoidance of doubt, it is precipitated on a contentious four plots of land at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.  To set the record straight, before his ascension to the Osolo throne, Prince Shekoni being the Secretary of the Ojo Orisadeko Asalu Elemo Royal Family, the owner of the vast land at Ajao Estate, Lagos was saddled with the task of mediating over ownership claim to the four plots of land purportedly bought from the family some years ago by the three respective individuals.  Even though, one of the claimants had already developed two out of the four plots, the family insisted on verifying documents of the three claimants. During the verification exercise, one of them was found to have forged the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) on the land; one had no titled documents while the third individual presented authentic documents obtained from the family.

To make peace, we advised two of the parties to share the plots equally. But it appeared this did not go down well with one of the parties who wrote a petition to the police through Dayo Aduke Thomas. The matter is presently a subject of litigation before Justice Balogun at Ikeja High Court.

As the matter subsisted at the court, investigation revealed that another petition purportedly written by Dayo Thomas alleging criminal infractions against Prince Shekoni was again forwarded to the police.  But rather than joining Shekoni as a co-defendant in the subsisting court case, police operatives from FSWAT at FCIID Adeniji Adele Road, acted over-zealously by invading Shekoni's office at Agodo to effect his arrest without prior invitation or notice. In a manner likened to horse- taking they arrested two of his staff with the intention of luring their target.

As a law abiding citizen, Shekoni showed up at their office few hours later completely oblivious of the charges being preferred against him. On enquiry, he found out the matter was in connection to the contentious four plots at Ajao Estate. Despite reminding them the matter was already in court, they insisted on detaining him at their station before he was eventually released later in the night.

The sad development prompted Prince Shekoni to enforce his fundamental human right by obtaining a pre-emptive court order against his invitation, arrest, detention and prosecution by the police on the matter. The order was granted by Justice M.A. Savage of Ikeja High Court on 20th November 2024.

However, in flagrant disregard to Justice Savage's order, the same police operatives waylaid Shekoni at Ajao Estate shortly after attending a meeting called by the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Otunba Bayo Olasoju with co-aspirants to the Osolo throne. In a commando style, he was forcefully abducted and taken to Adeniji Adele where he was not only handcuffed but was treated like a hardened criminal. Despite demanding for the enforcement of his fundamental human right, he was told by the Head of the operatives that he was being held in custody for jumping bail- an allegation which he vehemently denied because he was never invited to appear before the police or any law court prior to his abduction.

Nevertheless, Shekoni submitted himself for interrogation during which one of the police operatives was seen recording him on his mobile phone. He intimated the Head of the FSWAT team who immediately accosted the concerned officer. But the officer denied recording him on his phone. The Head of the team, however, promised to deal with the officer if the video is posted online. Shekoni was later released few minute after midnight following the intervention of the Inspector General of Police in the matter.

The matter, however, suffered momentary setback until the day of Shekoni's official coronation as the new Osolo of Isolo on 28th of March 2025 when the video surfaced online and subsequently shared across the social media with various derogatory captions which portrayed Shekoni as a criminal not worthy of the exalted stool of Osolo of Isolo.

We are convinced beyond reasonable doubt the video was posted with malicious intent to cause irreparable damage to the integrity of the new monarch. Hence, we are sparing no effort at seeking redress in court.  To this end, we have instructed our lawyers to institute litigation against the originator of the video with a view to identifying its sponsors for prosecution.

Similarly, our lawyers have our firm instruction to sue the Nigerian Police for violating Prince Shekoni's fundamental human right and for being an accessory to cause irreparable damage to the image and personality of Oba of Isolo.

While we appreciate the deluge of support and admiration for our new king, His Royal Majesty, Oba Issa Abiodun Faronbi Shekoni extends hands of fellowship to all and sundry, urging them to join him in the task of taking Isolo to greater heights-one which our forebears would be proud of.

 

Signed

Prince Monsuru Agbabiaka                                                                Barr. Adeola Sunday       

(Family Head)                                                                                    (Solicitor to the Family)