A Glorious Busy Day At Olu Ilawo's Palace

. As Rotary Club Confers Royal Father Honour on Oba MacGregor 

It was a glorious busy day at the palace of Olu of Ilawo, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor on Saturday 17th May 2025 as the monarch hosted dignitaries and the finals of the 2nd edition of Ayo Olopon traditional tournament.

As early as 9 a.m. when the gates of the palace were thrown open open, it was obvious a beehive of activities was imminent.

A delegation from the Rotary Club was the the first to pay homage to Alaiyeluwa. The delegation which included Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, Rtn. Adejoke Green, Rtn. Chief (Dr) Edward Alo, Rtn Mojeed Dauda and Rtn Bolaji Peters had come to pay homage to the Alaiyeluwa as well as identifying with his good works since he mounted the Ilawo throne.

According to the Leader of Delegation, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, the visit was also designed to convey Rotary's official recognition and appointment as Royal Father of the Club.

"This is in recognition and appreciation of your Royal Majesty's outstanding scholarly accomplishments and enduring commitment to the welfare and development of your people at Orile Ilawo Kingdom and beyond.

"Your reputation as a traditional ruler who blends wisdom, intellect and humility in service to humanity aligns with the core values of Rotary-service above self," Prof. Akinlabi said 

He therefore sought a convenient date from the monarch when his official installation and decoration would hold.

While accepting his conferment, Alaiyeluwa Oba MacGregor, applauded Rotary Club for it's humanitarian services as well as grooming future leaders, noting that Rotary Club if not the best, ranks among the best in humanitarian service.

The Ilawo monarch emphasized the need for collaboration between traditional institutions and Rotary Club adding that marrying customs and traditions with modern technology is the challenge of traditional institutions, hence both should not be far apart.

"I am always impressed with the good works of your members. Therefore, I am honoured to be your Royal Father because you are credible." Alaiyeluwa Oba MacGregor intoned.

Archbishop Ojumu of African Church Serves Retirement Notice

Soon after the departure of the Rotary's entourage, the meeting of the Ilawo Traditional Council commenced almost immediately. The meeting which lasted for about two hours primarily centred on preparations towards the second coronation anniversary of the Olu of Ilawo, Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor expected to hold in September 2025.

Despite his tight schedule, Kabiyesi still squeezed out time to receive in audience a delegation from St. Peters African Church, Ilawo led by His Grace Most Rev. G.O.B. Ojumu, the Archbishop of Ogun Province/ Diocesan Abeokuta Diocese.

The courtesy visit was also designed to officially informed the Royal Father of Archbishop Ojumu's forthcoming retirement slated for later this year.

In his welcome address, Chief A. A. Olufade, the Osi of Ilawo Kingdom acknowledged the role and sterling contribution of Archbishop Ojumu during the Obaship struggle which eventually culminated in the selection of Prof. MacGregor as the new Olu of Orile Ilawo Kingdom. 

He expressed mixed-feelings on the imminent retirement of the Archbishop noting that his invaluable spiritual support would be sorely missed by all and sundry but prayed for God's continued guidance and benevolence in his retirement.

While recalling with nostalgia the contribution of Archbishop Ojumu to his emergence as Olu of Ilawo Kingdom, Oba expressed his eternal gratitude to the departing Archbishop.

"The very first person who prayed for me when the struggle started was none other than Archbishop Ojumu. I still keep the anointing oil you gave me when we first met and you prayed for me. I felt the spirit and he attended many prayer sessions with us even after the coronation. 

"Words are just not enough to express the love which the Archbishop has for me. It's just pure and genuine and I give thanks to God and to him for his service," the monarch said 

According to him, the only church that has connectivity with the people is the African Church adding that the traditional institutions and the church are not at odds with each other as the church continues to render selfless service which are hard to find, the traditional institutions helps to maintain peace and tranquility among the people of diverse religious backgrounds.

Archbishop Ojumu while appreciating God for keeping His words concerning Oba MacGregor assured his relationship with the palace would not wane even in his retirement. "The African Church is your church and we would continue to pray relentlessly for Kabiyesi in his plans for progress and development of Ilawo 

Even as he acknowledged Kabiyesi's numerous contribution to the church, like Oliver Twist, the Archbishop seized the opportunity to request for more by reminding the monarch of the provision of his symbolic chair at the church and the solar-powered electricity at the church.

Ayo Olopon Winners Emerge

There was still enough time for Kabiyesi to witness the conclusion of the 2nd edition of the Ayo Olopon traditional board game tournament with winners emerging in both male and female categories.

It was amazing as many defied the rainfall to witness the conclusion of the two-day event sponsored by Nigerian Distilleries Limited, makers of Seaman's Aromatic Schnapps.

In the male category, Raheem Sanyaolu emerged the overall winner to take home N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) prize money while Akanbi Olayiwola won N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand) and Shakiru Babatunde won N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) for coming second and third respectively.

While it was Ariyo Azeez who won the first prize of N200,000 in the female category. Adebeso Abebi and Azizat Azeez came second and third respectively to win N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

 Oba MacGregor Appoints New Publicist 

. As Ilawo Hosts 2nd Ayo Olopon Tourney

In a spirited bid to strengthen the reportage and access to information on his community, the Olu of Orile Ilawo indigenous community, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor has appointed a veteran journalist, Lanre Olaleye as Head of the Media and Publicity Directorate of the palace.

In a press statement signed by George Olabode Adebini, Palace Secretary to the Olu of Ilawo on Wednesday 7th of May 2025, Olaleye's appointment bodes well with Kabiyesi's agenda to position Ilawo among the top echelon of indigenous communities in Nigeria.

"Kabiyesi is strongly committed to the all round development of Ilawo in terms of infrastructural and human capital development through the 'Ilawo of Our Dream Agenda.' 

"The success of this agenda will only be achieved through a positive public perception of our efforts at giving a positive narratives about Ilawo. And Olaleye 

will bring his three decades experience from stints in some of Nigerian frontline media establishments to bare on internal and external communications of the palace and Ilawo community as a whole. Adebini said.

He added: "With his wealth of experience and network of contacts in the Nigerian media circle, we are confident of charting a truly new beginning towards the Ilawo of our dream."

A graduate of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) Ogba, Lagos, Olaleye holds his first and second degrees in Journalism and Communication Studies from Lagos State University (LASU).

He was formerly the Sports Editor of PM. News, the defunct prodigious Lagos evening newspaper published by Independent Communications Network Limited (ICNL) publisher of The News/Tempo/P.M. News.

After 10 years successful stint, the veteran journalist moved over to Daily Independent Newspapers in 2005, when he was appointed Editor of Daily Independent Breaking News and later Crime Editor.

He was Managing Editor of The Premier Tabloid- Nigeria's first tabloid weekly published by ROOBS Communications Network Company before delving into Media and Public Relations practice as a consultant.

Meanwhile, arrangements have been concluded for hosting of the 2nd edition of the annual 'Ayo Olopon Tournament' -the indigenous Yoruba board game organized by  Macgregor Heritage Foundation to promote peace and unity among Egba sons and daughters across towns and communities in Abeokuta and it's environs.

The tournament which is sponsored by Nigerian Distilleries Limited, makers of Seaman's Aromatic Schnapps is slated to hold from 16th to 17th May 2025 at Oba Ilawo's Palace, Ilawo, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The two-day community-oriented traditional sporting event will involve top men and women Ayo players in a round-robin contest under a carnival-like atmosphere spiced up with music, dance, food and drink.

Speaking on the forthcoming event, the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Alexander Olusegun MacGregor  expressed his delight as Ilawo becomes the centre of attraction for the two-day event.

"For two days, Ilawo would host top Ayo players from the whole of Egba land. We are excited to be part of efforts at promoting the Yoruba cultural heritage through Ayo Olopon- a game deeply intertwined with wisdom, strategy, and communal harmony of our forebears.

"The inaugural edition witnessed remarkable participation but this year's edition promises to be highly competitive with lots of gift and cash prizes to be won even as we look forward to a cultural engagement among our people from all walks of life," Oba MacGregor remarked.

 Isolo Council Aspirant, Agbabiaka-Ifigbe Accepts Call To Serve

Swayed by a groundswell of support and admiration, former supervisory councilor, Hon. (Alhaja) Wakilat Taiwo Agbabiaka-Ifigbe has heeded the clarion call to serve her community as Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State.

Agbabiaka-Ifigbe, the younger sister to the late Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Adelaja Agbabiaka joined the race for the council
chairmanship position following her public endorsement by critical stakeholders of the council area.

At a mini public rally held on Thursday 1st of May 2025 at Ilesanmi Street, Isolo, Lagos, the erstwhile supervisor for Chieftaincy Affairs was prevailed upon by a mamooth crowd of supporters which included traditional chiefs, youths, market men and women, community leaders,  artisans as well as women and ladies within the community to offer her leadership role in bailing Isolo out of despondency of maladministration and ineptitudeness.

Speaking at the occasion, the Agbaakin of Isolo, Chief Yahya Abiodun Lawal Arowooye said Hon. Agbabiaka-Ifigbe represents a breath of fresh hair in local council administration noting that it's high time to break the jinx preventing an indigene from mounting the leadership saddle of Isolo. 

He added that the aspirant has what it takes to succeed as a qualified public administrator of impeccable character and honesty.

"For many years now, she has proven to be trustworthy and that's the kind of person we need at the council to pilot our affairs," Agbaakin remarked.

Other speakers such as the Chairman of APC Arewa Community of Isolo LCDA, Alhaji Mansour Sanusi; Seriki Babaloja of Osolo Market, Chief Nurudeen Arowooye; Youth Leader, Comrade Adebisi Oluwatimilehin and Jagun of Awori Land, High Chief Kabir Agbabiaka also paid glowing tribute to the sterling qualities of Hon. Agbabiaka Ifigbe.

In a heart-warming speech, the graduate of Public Administration from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma accepted the call to serve and also expressed her delight over the overwhelming opportunity to serve the people of Isolo.

"With a heart full of humility, love, and a deep sense of duty, I, Alhaja Wakilat Agbabiaka Ifigbe, stand before you today to say: I have heard your call — and I have answered," she began. 

"I did not set out on this journey for personal gain or ambition. I have come forward because of you — the voices of our mothers in the markets; the youth on the streets; the elders in our communities and the non-indigenes who have made Isolo their home. You called me to serve, and I am honored to answer.

“Ọmọ tó bá mọ́yà, ló ń jẹ́kú ìyà ẹni” — A child who knows the pain of the people is the one worthy to lead them.

"My story is not new. For decades, I have walked this path — not only as a politician, but as a sister, a daughter of the land, and a grassroots activist. I have seen the struggles of the widows; the dreams of the young girl who wants education and the tears of our aged fathers who seeks support.

"I have given scholarships because I know education is the ladder to lift families out of poverty. I have mentored our young daughters so they can grow with courage, not fear. I have stood with women who faced domestic violence and I have defended their dignity.

"I have not asked who is Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or Ijaw before offering help — because Isolo belongs to all of us. That is the spirit I inherited from our forefathers — men who opened their hands and lands to non-indigenes, and built a community based on peace and acceptance.

“When the people lead, the leader must follow. I am here today because you, the people, have chosen me to represent you. You believe that we can build a government that listens, serves, and includes. And I believe with all my heart that together — we can.

"Let this campaign be one of peace, hope, and unity. Let our voices rise, not in anger, but in purpose.

"I accept this call to serve — not with pride, but with responsibility. And I promise, by God’s grace, not to disappoint you." She concluded.

Agbabiaka-Ifigbe is contesting the council chairmanship position of Isolo LCDA under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local government elections slated to hold on July 12th 2025 across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in Lagos.