Prince Hakeem Ajasa on Friday, July 10 led a reconciliation move to reunite the three Ruling Houses and all family branches of the Iru Kingdom.
Prince Ajasa, who was a top contender to the throne and a serving top police officer and Chief Security Officer to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, from the Abisogun Ruling House led a delegation of top family members of Iru Kingdom in a quintessential style, calling that all aggrieved family members sheathe their sword and support the new Oba for the collective growth and development of Iru land.
The closed-door meeting which lasted for hours was well attended by elders of the Oniru Ruling Council, some top echelons in the traditional institution in Lagos including His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III), the 21st Monarch of Ikate-Elegushi and a member of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu executive cabinet, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Olanrewaju Elegushi at the Palace situated in Oniru, an upper-crust community comprising of Iru and Victoria Island — a prime real estate domain in Lagos State.
The reconciliation move led by Prince Hakeem Ajasa had become necessary following the growing opposition, disagreement and contentions within the entire Oniru family since the ascension of Oba Gbolahan Lawal as the 15th Oniru of Iru land.
The highly respected Prince, who has long accepted the choice of his older cousin, Oba Lawal as the new Oniru, was seen at the coronation ceremony on the 7th of June, 2020. His maturity and sense of sportsmanship according to him, is a sign of total submission to the ultimate will of the Almighty, the giver of life and not a sign of weakness as some have insinuated.
His action was said to have attracted praises and commendation from the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other reputable members of the traditional institution in Lagos and even Lagosians in the diaspora.
During the reconciliation meeting, Prince Ajasa publicly paid homage to the new Oniru in full glare of everyone present while he also shared some heartfelt prayers for the successful reign of His Royal Majesty, Oba Alaiyeluwa Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal and the entire descendant of Iru Kingdom.
“I have no doubt that with the emergence of our new king, peace and tranquillity, love and development has returned to Iru land. And more importantly freedom! We have come to show our commitment and unflinching support to Oba Gbolahan Lawal. Kabiyesi, you can be rest assured of our support and continued show of love” Ajasa said while briefing newsmen and family members at the end of the closed-door meeting.
“Iru has been peaceful and it will remain a peaceful kingdom, save for the recent iota of discord sprouting here and there which is very normal in a big kingdom like ours, but with this peace accord, I want to urge all the members of the Iru kingdom across all the three ruling houses – Abisogun, Akiogun and that of Ogunyemi to show support to our new king, we must understand that it is God who truly appoints a king and not man, and He has chosen Oba Gbolahan and it is important to always submit to the will of the Almighty always” Prince Ajasa reiterated.
Further engaging family members and well-wishers, Hakeem Ajasa encouraged that other family members follow his example. According to him “I am a major contender, and just as I have shown sportsmanship without anger and sowing seeds of discord or raising anarchy, I strongly expect all members of the family to do likewise. I was here on the day of the installation, and today again I have come to say let’s sheath our swords and settle for peace.”
“Some well-wishers have questioned why I am suing for peace, but they fail to understand that Oba Gbolahan and I are good cousins with a long-standing cordial relationship, this is more than my personal ambition, we all have a family name to protect, and we must play our role to protect the integrity and good name our forefathers left us.”
“I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to all bloggers and social media influencers to please stop promoting hate and discord within the Iru Kingdom, we can’t keep doing that, this kingdom is known for peace and it will always stand for that. This is a family thing and it’s quite expected, as close as the teeth and the tongue are, they sometimes disagree.”
Prince Hakeem Ajasa also extended his sincere appreciation to the amiable Governor of Lagos State, for his support and contributions. In that same light, he acknowledged Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying “my deepest gratitude goes to Asiwaju, he will always have my highest regard, we pray that the Almighty Allah guide his path always”
“I am also thankful to Oba Saheed Elegushi, his graceful personality is something I deeply admire. It is my prayer that the relationship between the Elegushis and Onirus will always remain cordial. We are proud to tell the world that henceforth, peace will reign supreme in Iru land.”
Oba Gbolahan expressed his appreciation saying that the call for peace is a welcomed development. He reiterated that there are no issues between him and his younger cousin, Hakeem Ajasa, “I appreciate everyone who has contributed to my ascension to the throne, I trust God for the Wisdom of Solomon, the good people of Iru land can be assured that we will all work together towards the common good of our people.”
(The Pledge)
