Simawa celebrates one decade reign of Oba with funfare

Simawa community was agog recently at the peak of cultural activities to celebrate the 10th year coronation of His Royal Highness, Oba Gbenga Gbadebo Sonuga, Ogbodo 1, Fadesewa of Simawa, Makun, Sagamu. It was obvious that the people of Simawa community scored their Ogbodo 1 a high pass mark in the 10 years of his reign over them.

With the theme ‘Mobilizing Human and Material Resources for Development,’ the five-day event commenced with an environmental sanitation, workshops and seminars, where indigenes were taught the art of making tie&dye textile materials, burnt bricks, beads and other vocational skills.

Royal luncheon and a beauty pageant were held on the Friday preceding the grand finale, where a mass communication graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, working with Adron Homes and Properties, Eniola Sosanya, emerged winner. She was presented to the Simawa community on the final day, which witnessed cultural displays and music entertainment for guests.

In his opening address, the Ogbodo 1, a former director of Lagos Council for Arts and Culture, recounted how he was interviewed by the late Ewusi, Oba E.O Ogunsowo and his chiefs for the job, as the next leader of Simawa was not an easy nut to crack.

According to him, “There were some tough questions that I was asked in the heat of the debate by one of the chiefs: ‘where have you been all these years that you are showing up when the goodies in Simawa are ready for gathering?’ And almost instantly, I replied: ‘the goodies in Simawa are not ready for gathering, but by the grace of God, when I become Oba in Simawa, it will regain all its past riches and glory.’”

The community of about 10,000 population, known for its farm produce of cocoa and kolanuts, has attracted trade and settlers such as Hausa and Igbo and others, who still have a strong presence in Simawa.

According to the Ogbodo 1, “Simawa lost its plume in the early years of the 20th century; the houses were crumbling. Agriculture assets were left in the hands of the few farmers who trudged to the farms daily on weak legs. The roads to Simawa, although still in existence, but are hardly motorable.”

As things degenerated, with an alternative view of life was not in the horizon of the remaining indigenes, most of the young people left for cities like Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ikorodu, Lagos or abroad. Ten years after, Oba Sonuga testified, “I have not seen such tremendous development in such a short time. It has been very much like what FESTAC ‘77 did to Lagos, but my future vision for Simawa is idealistic, romantic and visionary, but certain things must be done.”

The royal father lamented the neglect of Simawa and its development by the Ogun State Government, saying it was time government took development to local communities like Simawa to stop youth migration to urban cities.

The former culture manager also presented his view of a well-developed traditional governance policy, saying, “All obaship systems must be part and parcel of the current administration. Without this integration, most obaship positions will fall into redundancy. It is the duty of obas to monitor very closely the doings of politicians, to praise them when they do well and keep promises and to chide them when they neglect the basic rules of democracy – a government of the people, by the people, for the people!”

The Fadesewa also condemned the activities of land developers, noting that their activities are antithetical to the development of the town. He, therefore, proposed dialogue between the developers and the community on the need for a master plan, which would look at the infrastructural needs of the entire community rather than ignorant speculators, who could not see beyond their selfish interests.

Also, coordinator of the anniversary, Otunba Olumuyiwa O. Sonuga, said, “Simawa under the reign of the Ogbodo 1 has witnessed drastic facelift in development and population. The town is inhabited by various tribes. People now reside in Simawa and work in Lagos; direct transportation to Simawa can now be obtained at Ketu park, thanks to The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which constructed the road linking Simawa to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and which is the catalyst to the fast-paced development of Simawa.”

The Igbo community presented 10 tubers of yam and other gifts to the Oba. The Hausa community also paid hommage as well.