The story of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, did not begin in a palace. It began in Okobaba in Ebute Metta, Lagos, where he was born on October 28, 1968, to the family of late Paa Idowu Kasali and late Alhaja Sidiqat Kasali (née Odusanya).

Like many children growing up in Lagos at the time, his days revolved around school, family and the pursuit of education. Becoming a traditional ruler was not part of the picture.

Nearly six decades later, the same man now occupies one of the oldest traditional stools in Ikorodu Division, and as Igbogbo Kingdom prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his ascension, the occasion has become more than a royal milestone. It is also a moment to reflect on the path that brought a lawyer and public servant to the throne, the changes witnessed in the community over the past decade and the direction he hopes the kingdom will take in the years ahead.

The week-long anniversary celebration, scheduled to hold between July 19 and July 26, 2026, has been designed to reflect those priorities. The anniversary is not only limited to ceremonies and festivities, the palace has lined up activities centred on education, healthcare, community service, youth engagement, culture and religion.
The celebration itself, however, did not begin in July.

On April 7, the palace organised a free Computer-Based Test (CBT) training for 500 Senior Secondary School students drawn from six public schools across Igbogbo. The programme, held at HOMAT CBT Centre, formed the first major activity marking the anniversary.

Students from Zumratul Islamiyah Grammar School, Community Secondary School, Bayeku, Lagos State Model College, Agunfoye, Reri Secondary School, Oreta, Oreyo Grammar School and Civil Service Model College received practical CBT training, examination strategies and career guidance aimed at improving their preparedness for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Addressing the students, Oba Kasali urged them to make full use of the opportunity before them.

He reminded them that examinations had become increasingly technology-driven and that mistakes during computer-based examinations could have lasting consequences.

“I want to appeal to every one of you that you have this rare opportunity that is put in place to make sure you excel. Make sure you make use of it,” he told the students.

The programme featured education administrators, political office holders and community leaders.

Among them was the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs Omotayo Sanni, who said the initiative aligned with Lagos State’s emphasis on youth development through education.

The Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Hon. Omo’ba Olalekan Hamed Aroyewun, also encouraged the students not to fear failure but to remain determined.

Following the CBT training, the palace unveiled the official commemorative Aso-Ebi for the anniversary in April before formally presenting the week-long programme during a press briefing held at the Adeboruwa Palace on June 27.

Representing the monarch at the briefing, Oloye Jelili Oduntan, the Balogun of Igbogbo, offered the opening prayer before community leaders outlined the significance of the celebration.

In his opening remarks, Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo, took guests through the journey that eventually brought Oba Kasali to the throne.

Long before becoming the Adeboruwa in 2016, he recalled, the monarch had already rendered important service to the community.

According to him, Oba Kasali successfully handled a legal matter on behalf of Igbogbo in 2005, years before anyone imagined he would one day become the community’s traditional ruler.

Looking back, Chief Onasanya described that episode as one of the moments that demonstrated the future monarch’s commitment to Igbogbo long before he occupied the throne.

The briefing also brought together prominent sons and daughters of the community, including the Vice Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Ade Ayeni, who represented the council chairman, Hon. Omo’ba Olalekan Hamed Aroyewun; Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee and former Lagos State Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Olushola Ogunlewe; Vice Chairman of the committee, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola; Mr Babatunde Afuwape; and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tertiary Education, Prince Waheed Kasali, among others.

Addressing journalists, Prince Ogunlewe described the anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate not only the monarch but also the history of the Adeboruwa stool.

Tracing the lineage of the throne, he noted that the institution predates the 20th century and has been occupied by successive traditional rulers, including Oba Kashimawo, Oba Oso Ojuba, Oba Banjoko, Oba Bamosu, Oba Molaja Ogunlewe, Oba Omodeinwajaye Odugbose, Oba Fatola Johnson and now Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the eighth Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom.

According to him, each reign has contributed to preserving the customs, identity and heritage of the ancient community, while the current monarch’s decade on the throne has coincided with renewed attention to infrastructure, education and community development. He pointed to the completion of a new royal palace as one of the visible landmarks of the reign.

He also highlighted the establishment of a Nigeria Immigration Service office in Igbogbo, a development that has brought passport and immigration services closer to residents while expanding the presence of federal institutions within the community.

The committee chairman further listed improvements in healthcare, including the upgrade of the Primary Health Centre at Igbe-Laara and the establishment of another Primary Health Centre supported through the Sustainable Development Goals initiative.

He also acknowledged the road projects undertaken through state and federal government interventions, describing them as part of the improvements recorded within the kingdom during the past decade.

While the anniversary committee highlighted the projects completed during the past decade, Oba Kasali himself is reluctant to claim personal credit for the changes recorded in Igbogbo.

Throughout his conversation with The Guardian, he repeatedly returned to one point: that whatever progress the community has witnessed has come through collaboration among government, traditional institutions and residents.

“With all sense of humility, I want to give all the glory to God Almighty,” he said. “I cannot lay claim to everything that is happening in Igbogbo. It is a manifestation of God-answered prayers at this particular period in the history of the town.”

He said the relationship between the palace and different groups within the community has made it easier to pursue common goals.

Among those he acknowledged were members of the Adeboruwa-in-Council, the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), political leaders, youth groups and residents who have continued to work together on issues affecting the community.

According to him, that cooperation has contributed to improvements in education, healthcare and road infrastructure across Igbogbo.
He also acknowledged the support of elected representatives whose interventions have brought projects to the community.

Among them are Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District; Hon. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, representing Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He also recognised the contributions of former Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Bldr. Olusesan Mayokun Daini, and the current Chairman, Hon. Omo’ba Olalekan Hamed Aroyewun, for projects carried out during their administrations.

During the briefing announcing the anniversary activities, Prince Adesegun Olushola Ogunlewe, similarly acknowledged the roles played by the elected representatives and council chairmen in bringing infrastructure and social amenities to the community.

He also recognised the support of political leaders, including Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, as well as the Igbogbo Development Association, religious organisations and community groups that have continued to work with the palace.

According Oba Kasali, one of the most visible achievements of the last decade is the completion of a new royal palace.

Sitting at the heart of Igbogbo, the palace has become one of the landmarks of the community.

He said the project was initiated during the administration of former LCDA Chairman, Bldr. Olusesan Mayokun Daini, while the present administration under Hon. Omo’ba Olalekan Hamed Aroyewun has continued work on improving facilities around the palace and supporting community development.

Road construction has equally changed parts of the community. When asked what concerned him most after ascending the throne in 2016, Oba Kasali did not hesitate.

“The major concern then was the road,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to government at different levels for responding to that need through road projects that have improved access within the community.

Although physical infrastructure forms part of the story of the last ten years, the monarch said development should not be measured by roads and buildings alone.

He believes investment in people is equally important. That thinking informed the decision to make education one of the first activities marking the anniversary.

According Oba Kasali, the CBT programme is only one part of a broader plan.
He disclosed that the palace is establishing a foundation that will continue supporting education while extending assistance to market women, artisans and persons living with disabilities.

He explained that the foundation is intended to complement efforts already being made by government, private organisations and individuals.

“As part of the commemorative activities for this 10th anniversary, we are planning something as a give-back,” he said.

As Oba Kasali reflected on the past 10 years, one theme ran through much of the conversation. Whenever the discussion turned to development, he was quick to mention the people and institutions he believes have helped move Igbogbo forward.

Among those he singled out was Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), the Odofin of Ikorodu, whose contributions, he said, extend beyond Igbogbo to the wider Ikorodu Division.

Speaking on security, healthcare and education, the monarch described Chief Ogunsanya as someone whose interventions have made a difference across communities in the division.

“At this point, I must mention the effort of an individual who has taken it upon himself to see the development of the entire division,” Oba Kasali said. “His effort is second to none in terms of security, education and healthcare.”

He also acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers within Ikorodu Division, saying the relationship among the royal fathers has strengthened efforts to address issues affecting their communities.

Among those he mentioned were His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu; His Royal Majesty, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, Olufoworesete I, the Ranodu of Imota; His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo (Ademoyebo III), the Obateru of Egbin Kingdom; and His Royal Majesty, Oba Bashir Aremu Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, among other monarchs within the division.

He said interaction among traditional rulers has provided opportunities to exchange ideas and jointly address matters affecting their respective communities.

Beyond the division, he recalled paying courtesy visits to senior monarchs shortly after ascending the throne.

One of the visits that remains memorable to him was his meeting with the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

According to him, the Awujale shared words of advice that have remained with him throughout his reign.

He also spoke of his interactions with the late Alaafin of Oyo and other experienced traditional rulers in Lagos State, describing those encounters as opportunities to learn from monarchs who had spent decades on their respective thrones.

For Oba Kasali, leadership is not something that ends with occupying a royal stool.
He said every opportunity to meet older monarchs became another lesson in how to manage people, preserve tradition and uphold the dignity of the institution.

Those lessons, he said, reinforced his belief that traditional rulers must earn the respect accorded to their offices.

He argued that the conduct of monarchs plays an important role in determining how traditional institutions are perceived.

“I always recommend two things: contentment and comportment,” he said. “I believe that if you comport yourself as a royal father, you will get due regard for that position. When you are contented with whatever you have, you will not get yourself involved in something that will tarnish the image of that stool.”

That philosophy, he said, has guided his approach throughout the past decade.

Alongside the efforts of government and elected representatives, the monarch said community development has also depended on cooperation between the palace, community associations and residents.

The monarch also pointed to the construction of the Igbogbo Stadium by the Lagos State Government, describing it as another project that has added to the community’s infrastructure and created opportunities for sports and youth activities.

For the monarch, however, these projects represent only part of the work that remains.

Looking ahead, he said he hopes to see greater development in Igbogbo’s coastal communities, including improvements in waterways that can support transportation and economic activities.

He believes those communities hold significant potential for the future growth of the kingdom, provided investment continues in infrastructure and public services.