By ECHONEWS
The 15th Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal Abisogun II has thanked former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him his first opportunity to serve the public and mentoring him over the years.
In his acceptance speech minutes after Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu gave him the staff of office, Oba Lawal traced his experience in the public service which include triple appointments as commissioner to the support of his mentor.
He said the appointments gave him the opportunity to participate in policy making and execution and rendering service to the people.
He pledged support to the programmes and projects of the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES agenda.
He assured his kith and kin that his reign will witness the massive development of Iruland comparable to the Greater New York city area.
Read the full text below:
BEING THE TEXT OF A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY,
ALAYELUWA OBA ABDUL WASIU OMOGBOLAHAN LAWAL, (ABISOGUN II)
ON HIS INSTALATION AS THE 15TH ONIRU OF IRULAND, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020
AT THE ONIRU’S PALACE, VICTORIA ISLAND
I give all thanks to the Almighty God for making all of us see this day. In the journey of my life, I have received several divine favours and benevolence from the Almighty God, but then, distinguished guests, I affirm that none of the preceding benevolence of God has the same effect on me as my selection and installation as the 15th Oniru of Iruland.
I consider it a divine call to succeed the legendary Oba Abiodun Idowu Oniru, who reigned for 25 years. I pray to Olodumare to grant his, and the souls of all my departed forebears eternal rest. Without any doubt, succeeding such an iconic monarch comes with its peculiar challenge. But then, of what essence is life without challenges? For the discerning, challenges are the real sparks that bring the best out of life. With the benevolence of Olodumare, and with the support of the all the good people of Iruland, both home and abroad, together we shall overcome all challenges and make Iruland a better place for all.
Undoubtedly, the ecstatic reactions that trailed my proclamation as the 15th Oniru of Iru, is an affirmation that, it is God that truly crowns a King. The outpour of love and ceaseless goodwill messages has been amazing – vox populi, vox dei. Let me assure all that I would not take your support for granted. I further assure you all that I shall be fair and just to everyone.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the event of today is symbolic. First, I am just a few weeks to my golden anniversary. I believe that God has given me a golden opportunity to write my name in gold as I reach a golden milestone. Secondly, I see my ascension to the throne as the icing on my illustrious public service career. I have been involved in public service for about three decades of my life. I have given my all in the service of the good people of Lagos State and, indeed Nigeria. Together with many good people of the State, I have been involved in evolving and executing policies and programs, especially in the area of social interventions to eradicate poverty and give hope to the downtrodden. Therefore, my installation as the 15th Oniru of Iruland is indeed a further call to service. I am sure, and with the backing of Olodumare, my forebears, and the people, outstanding successes would be recorded during my reign.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, let me assure all I shall continue to work in close collaboration with the State Government in ensuring the success of the THEMES Developmental Agenda of the Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu’s administration in Lagos State.
Iruland is in a very central to the commerce and economy of development Lagos State. I want to assure all and sundry that Iruland will continue accommodate business development on all fronts; and remain home for all tribes, and races. Iruland will continue to align with the vision of our forebears for a cosmopolitan, thriving, and prosperous Lagos. Our vision is that Iruland will in no distant future rival the likes of Greater New York City, in the United States of America.
With my experience in public service, I will continue to work with others not only to bring more development to Iruland but the entire State. I promise to live the rest of my life for my people. I will work with fellow monarchs, chiefs, community leaders and all stakeholders for the unity of our people. I will project the Yoruba culture and tradition by promoting and sustaining our identity as a people. Consequently, I pledge to invest resources in projects that will promote cultural renaissance in Yoruba land. I will spare no sweat in guaranteeing the advancement of the Yoruba culture and tradition. I will work with various stakeholders to achieve this.
May I express personal appreciation to our hardworking, courageous and visionary Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for graciously approving my selection to ascend the throne; I also appreciate other members of the State Executive Council (my former colleagues). Let me said that I will sure miss the robust and brainstorming sessions at the State Executive Council. I wish to also thank the entire Abisogun Royal family who for found worthy to ascend to the throne of my forebears, I shall continue to be a good ambassador of the family.
I am eternally grateful to Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who gave me the very first opportunity to serve in public office, and I can say without any equivocation, that in the course of these many years, I learnt from the very best. Ashiwaju Tinubu is a visionary, with sterling leadership qualities. Indeed, he is a man with a very large heart and has continued to sows the good seed in people of all ages. May your light continue to shine. Similarly, I appreciate all our distinguished Senators and Honorable Representatives at the both the National and State Assemblies, as well as the State Chairman of All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun.
Let me express a deep gratitude to all traditional rulers in Yoruba land, especially members of the Lagos State Council of Traditional Council, under the leadership of His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, the Olowo Eko. May peace continue to reign in all our respective domains.
On behalf of all the sons and daughters of Iruland, I express profound gratitude to the kingmakers and the Government of Lagos State in ensuring that there was fairness, equity and justice in the process leading to my selection as Oniru of Iruland. The conscious and deliberate adherence to the principle of fair play has ensured that my ascension to the throne of my forebears is without rancor or bitterness. Expectedly, several of my brother Princes had expressed their interest in the Royal Stool, and expectedly only one of us emerged as Oniru of Iruland. There is no victor and there is no vanquished. I hereby extend my hand of fellowship to distinguished brothers, Prince Adesegun Oniru and Prince Akeem Ajasa for giving support to my selection as Oniru of Iruland.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this appreciation will indeed be incomplete without publicly acknowledging my dear mother whose lineage in the first instance made this ascension to the throne possible. Mother, I will forever remain grateful to you for everything you have done in my life. Thank you, mama mi. I also thank my darling wife, Olori Mariam Lawal, all my children and other siblings for their love, support and prayers. I am eternally grateful to all of you. I appreciate and love you all.
On a final note, let me thank all those who contributed to the success of this installation ceremony, especially members of the Planning Committee, the media and many others too numerous to mention. Thank you all. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, once again, I give gratitude to God for this day, and remain truly grateful to all of you for finding time to be here even at such a short notice and the compelling circumstances. Your presence here today is, perhaps, the greatest present I receive on my installation.
Even as I conclude, let me urge you to continue to pray for me, whatever your religion, please pray that God would give me wisdom and strength to carry out the duties of my throne.
Thank you all for your kind attention
A dele ba ire, akoya ibi.
Alayeluwa Oba Abdul Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II)
15th Oniru of Iru land.
Sunday, June 7, 2020