Celebrating Kosoko, the New King of Awori Kingdom

Peter Uzoho writes on the installation of Oba Oladele Idris Friday Kosoko as the new king of Awori Kingdom in Badagry

The three months installation and majestic outing of HRM Oladele Idris Friday Kosoko (JP), the Ogundeyi 11, Oniworo of Awori Kingdom which held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, was full of pomp and pageantry.
It was an occasion in which the ancient city of Awori in Badagry stood still to honour Kosoko. The weather was also clement.

Kosoko, who represented Badagry federal constituency at the House of Representatives and was Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, is the 24th Oba on the throne of his fore-fathers.His predecessor reigned for 50 years.
It was indeed a spectacle to behold as there was a display of culture, royalty and tradition at the auspicious occasion.

The occasion attracted the crème de la crème not only from Lagos State but from other states as well as outside the country.

The venue of the occasion, Ajaye Compound Playground, was fully packed with kinsmen, friends, acquaintances, admirers and visitors who were on ground to rejoice with the celebrant and his elegant wife Oluwaseun Ruth.
The venue was well secured as soldiers, Mobile Police, LNSC and other local community security outfits like the VGN were on duty to keep vigilance.

Lagos Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Henry Ajomale was chairman of the occasion, HRM, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja (The Aladeshiyan of Odo-Noforija Epe division) was Royal father of the day, while Oba Oyekan Adekanmi (Alapa of Apa Egun-Awori Kingdom) was among the guests of honour including Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka (Osolo of Isolo-Kingdom.

All the chiefs from Iworo-Awori kingdom, Igba kingdom, Badagry kingdom and beyond the shores of Lagos State were in attendance.

Expectedly, Oba Akran of Badagry was in attendance. Yomi Amoye, Director, Chieftaincy Affairs in the Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters and Community Affairs represented Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

APC national leader, Chief Bola Tinubu, sent representatives as well as HRM, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Oba of Lagos).
All relevant groups for the occasion were represented and these included the: Kosoko Royal Family, Lagos, Egbe Oni yepe, women wing Ojo, Alapese, Odofin, Alaruwe, Aro, Asalu, Olisa, Aremo and the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) among others.

Ace actor, Jide Kosoko, was gracefully seated on the Kosoko Royal Family seat.
He told THISDAY that he was delighted to be present at the occasion.
Ambode in his goodwill message wished Kosoko peaceful reign, just as he promised to support his tenure to be successful.

“The government of Lagos State is wishing you a peaceful reign and we will provide all the needed support for you to succeed,” he noted.

He also pledged to stop at nothing to ensure the quality of life of the people are improved.

Hon. Bolaji Solomon, Sole Administrator, Olorunda LCDA, extolled the virtues of Kosoko as a vibrant, energetic and intelligent person who has served his people well and deserves his new position.

In his speech, Chairman Central Planning Committee, for the installation project, Hon. Isola Hassan commended Kosoko for all his achievements for his people, while using the platform to appreciate the state governor, Ambode. But like Oliver Twist, he asked for more from government. “we are aware of the state government efforts at making life easier for his inhabitants, we believe that creation of more jobs, construction of skills acquisition centres, upgrading of the only secondary school along this axis, completion of the on-going water project at Imeke, construction of a primary healthcare centre at Iworo among others, will further enhance the growth of the community,” he noted.
Seun Aransi Ola band popularly known as De Honey Voices were also on ground to provide danceable music.

A lot of catering outfits were contracted to provide eatery services and they included the Orosun Catering Services and Vocational Training Centre, No be me na God Services.

Their mandate was to make sure there was enough to eat and drink and they lived to its billing.
Kosoko, who danced to the admiration of the crowed with his beautiful wife during the ceremony, promised to rule with the fear of God and to be fair and just to all.

The Oniworo urged his people to be law-abiding and to maintain sanity and clean environment. He read riot act to men that beat their wives and to those caught stealing.

His words: “If you are caught stealing, you pay for it and we will deal with you by our law. If you know that you beat your wife, be warned as my leadership will not tolerate wife battering.”

From all indication, the Oniworo of Aworo Kingdom is loved by his people given the massive turnout and the pleasant comments made on him.

In all, the occasion was peaceful and worth-enjoying as the people had a filled day celebrating their Oba, who they say is the man of the people.