By Shina Ishola and Fashina Shakiru
There’s no better recognition than that given by your people.
This best described the chieftaincy titles conferred on Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and Senator-elect, Lagos Central Senatorial District, a royal blood from Isale Eko, Lagos Island of Lagos State; and his amiable better half, Alhaja Bilikis Olamide Eshilokun-Sanni, also from Isale Eko.
Both were conferred with the titles of Okanlomo and Yeye Okanlomo of Lagos by His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, Oba of Lagos on Saturday, 20 May, 2023.
The conferment, which took place at the Oba’s palace, Iga Iduganran, in Isale Eko, was graced by eminent top government personalities which included the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; and the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Robert Bolaji.
Lagos royalty was not left behind, as many royal fathers graced the occasion. Aside the conferring authority of the day, HRM Oba Akiolu; one of the Vice Chairmen in the State Council of Obas, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; as well as: HRM Oba Gbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iruland; and HRM Oba Adeyemi Adeniyi, Onisabe of Igbobi Sabe were physically present. Of course, the Lagos White Cap Chiefs and the Head of Eshilokun family, Alhaji Kolawole Balogun graced the occasion, supervised by the Opeluwa of Lagos, High Chief Abdul Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose.
Other dignitaries such as: Hon Babajide Obanikoro, Member of the House of Representatives for Eti Osa Federal Constituency; and family members of both Chief and Chief (Mrs) Eshilokun, as well as the Okanlomo’s political leaders, associates and followers were also present.
After the installation, the new Chiefs hosted guests to a nice party at their Ikoyi home. It was another convergence of dignitaries.
Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate land; Onisabe of Igbobi Sabe and the Oba of Ogombo, HRM Oba Musiliudeen Ogunbo were present at the reception.
Two former Deputy Governors of Lagos State: Otunba Femi Pedro and Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti Adebule who is Senator-elect for Lagos West Senatorial District; the Secretary of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Alhaji Mutiu Are; GAC member, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro; the Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Jide Damazio; and the immediate past President of Eko Club, Hon. Tajudeen Agoro, were also in attendance.
So were some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (past and present), members of the State Executive Council, serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, Heads of some government agencies, Local Government Chairmen, past and present; the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, and other personalities, too numerous to mention.
The event was a credence to an appreciation of good deeds.
