When Oba Olufolarin Kayode Ogunsanwo Pooled Heavyweights to His Kingdom

Recently, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufolarin Kayode Ogunsanwo of Ilara-Epe in Lagos proved to all that he is a man of great means, influence and power.

The monarch, who was a former Chairman of Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), pooled those that matter to his first coronation anniversary. The week-long activities climaxed last Sunday when eminent personalities in the country stormed the town to add colour to the celebration. Prior to the event, he was said to have re-awakened the almost forgotten Aje festival, a traditional event that celebrates the god of wealth, trade and commerce in the town.

The special guest of the day, Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was ably represented by the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon and Vice-Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, HRM, Oba Francis Olusola Alao.
The ceremony kicked off on Tuesday, August 17, with a lecture at the Augustine University Auditorium, where stakeholders in government and traditional institutions converged to discuss salient issues that will speed up progress within the kingdom and the state at large.

The event also featured the installation of eminent Nigerians, including the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and wife as Agba Akin and Yeye Agba Akin; Mr Folorunsho Folarin Coker as Baba Eto, and Surveyor JK Olayemi as Asoju Oba of the kingdom.

Ogunsanwo’s stay at the LIRS didn’t come to an end on a glorious note as the then governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, terminated his appointment about 11 months into his leadership. At the time, those who could vouch for his honesty made efforts to save his job, but the game to ensure Ogunsanwo was shown the exit door was believed to be too strong to halt such that his supporters prevailed on him to throw in the towel. He listened to wise counsel and in no time, a house built by his adversaries on the sandy soil collapsed on them and he was vindicated.

Meanwhile, as a child of destiny who has greatness as an integral part of his journey, Ogunsanwo once again rose and made his way to the limelight for a second time in December 2019, as he was elected as Alara of Ilara Kingdom of Epe area of Lagos State.
Amidst orchestrated opposition, Ogunsanwo went ahead to be named Alara-elect, following the unanimous decision of the five kingmakers. He received the staff of office a few months after being elected by the kingmakers.