…Marks 23 years on the throne with prayer session

The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu has said that Lagos government must provide the appropriate logistics to upgraded kings so that they would not engage in land grabbing activities.

Speaking on Sunday shortly after prayers by Islamic clerics to mark his 23rd anniversary on the throne, Akiolu, who thanked God for his journey so far on the throne, stated that while majority of the traditional rulers and reasonable chiefs in the state always ensure that things go in order, some incurably bad ones, for one reason or the other, best known to them, have chosen to turn themselves into land grabbers.

“I didn’t like it at all. And I have pleaded and advised the government that when you upgrade all these people, give them the logistic support to hold that office. It was in the absence of that, they resort to land grabbing, which is not in the best interest of any human behaviour.”

23 years after he mounted the throne of his forefathers, Akiolu said: “I thank God, today is exactly 23 years ago, when the late Chief Tajudeen Gbadamosi placed the crown on me at the traditional place, Enu Owa in Lagos.

“And since then, it has been progress, upon progress upon progress, from God Almighty. It was made possible by the blessing of God Almighty and the support of our now president, Bola Ahmed, who was at that material time, the governor of Lagos State.”

Akiolu stated that he has relied on God for directions and wisdom through prayers.

One of the guests at the event, Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, described the monarch as a father to all, who is very compassionate and generous.

Agoro also said he is disciplined, who will praise anyone when they do things rightly and will not fail to call out anyone when they do something that is bad.

According to him, Akiolu appreciates culture because he sometimes writes to the state government demanding a public holiday to mark Isese Day.

Similarly, the Managing Director of Primero Transport Services, Mr Fola Tinubu, also described him as a father who cares for many as his biological child. He praised him for the wisdom with which he has managed the throne and the affairs of Lagos.

Tinubu added that Akiolu is committed to the development of Lagos because he usually works towards ensuring things go well and promotes things and efforts that will further drive the development of the state.

A number of prominent Lagos indigenes, family members, children, grandchildren and friends of the monarch were at the prayer session.

Clerics who were at the programme recited verses in the Quran aside praying for the monarch to continue to reign in good health and manage the affairs with wisdom. There were also prayers for the state governor and president Tinubu.