Dignitaries from across Lagos State on Saturday gathered in Igbogbo Kingdom, to celebrate the 10th coronation anniversary of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali (Emugoriade I), with renewed calls for greater recognition of traditional institutions in governance and continued community development.

The grand finale of the week-long celebration, held at the Adeboruwa’s palace, Igbogbo, also featured the launch of a book authored by the monarch, The Town, the Throne, and Transformations, documenting the history of Igbogbo Kingdom, the traditional institution and the community’s development journey.

Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the anniversary, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, welcomed guests to the event, describing the celebration as a milestone in the history of Igbogbo Kingdom and a reflection of a decade of traditional leadership under Oba Kasali.

Chairman of the occasion and member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson, described the celebration as more than marking 10 years on the throne, saying it reflected purposeful leadership, peaceful coexistence and steady development within Igbogbo Kingdom.

He commended the monarch for providing leadership that has promoted peace, preserved the community’s cultural heritage and strengthened collaboration between traditional institutions and government.

According to him, development thrives where there is peace, while peace is sustained through responsible traditional leadership.

Benson noted that traditional rulers remain important partners in community development, saying the transformation witnessed in Igbogbo over the past decade had been driven by collaboration between the palace and elected representatives at the local, state and federal levels.

Highlighting projects attracted to the community, he said more than 10 road projects had been facilitated across Igbogbo-Bayeku Local Council Development Area, including the Ofin-Oreta Road, alongside classroom blocks, primary healthcare facilities, electricity transformers, youth empowerment initiatives and employment opportunities.

He added that the Nigerian Immigration Service office established in Igbogbo, the Digital Economy Training Centre at Methodist Primary School and the proposed Federal Medical Centre were part of efforts to improve public services and infrastructure within the community.

Benson assured the monarch and residents that he would continue to work with other stakeholders to attract more development projects to the kingdom.

Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Olalekan Ahmed Aroyewun, also commended the monarch’s contributions to the community, particularly in preserving its cultural heritage and promoting development.

He reiterated his call for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, arguing that monarchs already play significant roles in governance despite lacking clearly defined constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, traditional rulers are regularly consulted before major decisions affecting their communities are taken, making it necessary to strengthen their participation in governance.

He specifically urged that traditional rulers be given active roles in emerging security structures, including the proposed Police Service Commission arrangements, saying such involvement would enhance peace, security and the protection of lives and property.

Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Special Adviser on Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Agbaje, congratulated the monarch on reaching the milestone and described his reign as one that had left a lasting impact on the people of Igbogbo.

He said the progress recorded in the kingdom aligned with the people-centred development agenda of the state government, noting that sustainable development depends not only on government policies but also on effective community leadership.

Agbaje added that traditional rulers remain valuable partners in promoting peace, preserving culture, resolving conflicts and mobilising communities for development.

Also speaking, Omoba Adepeju Akinyemi highlighted some of the monarch’s recent interventions through the Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali Royal Foundation.

He recalled that the monarch sponsored free Computer-Based Test training for more than 500 Senior Secondary School students from public schools in Igbogbo ahead of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination to improve digital literacy.

He added that the foundation also donated laptops and other computer accessories to six public schools in Igbogbo-Bayeku LCDA as part of efforts to strengthen education.

Akinyemi said the foundation would continue to implement community-based projects and appealed to individuals and organisations to support its programmes.

He also introduced the monarch’s newly launched book, The Town, the Throne, and Transformations, describing it as a documentation of Igbogbo’s history, the traditional institution and the developmental strides recorded during the monarch’s reign.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Kabiru Adewale Shotobi; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN); Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde; representative of Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Rotimi Abiru; member representing Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbolahan Adetokunbo Ogunleye; the Oniba of Iba Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Adeshina Raji-Ashade; the Oba of Ketu, Oba Balogun Oyero; the Olojodu of Ojodu, Oba Samuel Sobowale Benson; the Oloworo of Oworo Kingdom, Oba Saliu Babatunde; the Opeluwa of Lagos, High Chief AbdulLateef Aderibigbe Ajose, who represented the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, alongside White Cap Chiefs and other traditional rulers from within and outside Ikorodu Division.