Says Ikorodu Is Known for Great Achievers
By Halimah Olamide
“For traditional rulers to openly pander to the corrupt whim of CRIMINAL politicians is a bridge too far in the descent into societal depravity.”
A former governorship candidate in Lagos state and businessman, Babatunde Gbadamosi, has berated leaders of traditional religions in Ikorodu Lagos state for allegedly using tradition to intimidate the residents of the ancient town.
Gbadamosi said it was shameful that traditional religion leaders rained curses on residents and instilled fears in them against their wishes to come out to protests in the ongoing nationwide protests against hunger and alleged bad governance.
NPO Reports that some traditional religions adherents had taken to the streets of Ikorodu las week to warn residents against coming out for the #EndBadGovernance Protests. The adherents, in viral videos, were shown raining curses on whoever comes out in Ikorodu to protests.
The action had drawn massive condemnations.
In his response, Gbadamosi, who once contested for the governorship seat of the state said “For traditional rulers to openly pander to the corrupt whim of CRIMINAL politicians is a bridge too far in the descent into societal depravity.”
He added that but for such a thing to happen “in my beloved Ikorodu is beyond imagining.”
Gbadamosi said, “People are hungry, you share ₦40,000 PER STREET to them – yes, you read right – FOURTY THOUSAND NAIRA, not daily o, just on the 31st of July, and intimidate them with curses by fake Oro, thus desecrating the traditions of our fathers and turning them into political tools.”
He argued that the authority of the traditional rulers is being decimated by they themselves.
He accused them of going this direction “all for the palliatives they are being given to hide in their homes by the greedy, criminal politicians.”
See Gbadamosi’s State below:
Dear Ikorodu Indigenes,
I want to address the NONSENSE going on in Ikorodu SPECIFICALLY.
I am reliably informed that some traditional rulers and traditional religious authorities decided to desecrate their offices and abuse the good people of Ikorodu by going out to rain curses upon anyone who PROTESTS against HUNGER.
Ikorodu was known for many illustrious firsts in Nigeria. The first indigenous industrialist in Nigeria was an Ikorodu man. I know this, because he was my grandfather, S. O. Gbadamosi.
The first trunk A road in Nigeria was Ikorodu road, initiated by S. O. Gbadamosi, above, and built through the joint efforts of several Ikorodu and Ijebu stalwarts, as well as Ikorodu SCHOOLCHILDREN!
The first patent medicine produced in Nigeria was Alabukun powder, produced in Abeokuta by an Ikorodu man – “blessed” Jacob Odulate, one of whose daughters was to become the first woman SAN in Nigeria, and the other married to my great uncle.
The first bottled water factory in Nigeria was Ragolis Water, promoted by my late uncle, Rasheed Gbadamosi and others.
The biggest textile factory in Africa was Nichemtex, Ikorodu, invited in by late Oba Salaudeen Afolabi Oguntade Oyefusi, the immediate past Ayangburen of Ikorodu.
The largest industrial estate in Nigeria, though now moribund, was Odogunyan Industrial Estate, Ikorodu.
The first indigenous QUALIFIED Architect in Nigeria was H. O. Onafowokan, who helped design and build Ikorodu road, at the behest of his elder cousin, S. O. Gbadamosi.
The first Nigerian woman to get a masters degree in law is Muheeba Wonuola Folami, first child of S. O. Gbadamosi.
The wealthiest black woman alive is Mrs. Alakija, nee Ogbara, also from Ikorodu.
Modupe Oshikoya, the first female athletics medalist for Nigeria is from Ikorodu.
This is the city that has now fallen to the level of the second paragraph of this post.
Ikorodu is called “ìlú kékeré, ọkọ ìlú bàntata” for a reason, even though it is no longer small.
It appears that some people have neither a sense of history, nor dignity, nor respect for the high offices Providence has thrust upon them.
For traditional rulers to openly pander tomthe corrupt whim of CRIMINAL politicians is a bridge too far in the descent into societal depravity, but for it to happen in my beloved Ikorodu is beyond imagining.
People are hungry, you share ₦40,000 PER STREET to them – yes, you read right – FOURTY THOUSAND NAIRA, not daily o, just on the 31st of July, and intimidate them with curses by fake Pro, thus desecrating the traditions of our fathers and turning them into political tools.
The authority of the traditional rulers is being decimated by they themselves, all for the palliatives they are being given to hide in their homes by the greedy, criminal politicians.
It is my fervent hope that the REAL people of Ikorodu, the real Ọmọ Ẹ̀lúkú mẹdẹ́n mẹdẹ́n, ọmọ ibalẹ afèlèjà will wake up to their responsibilities to future generations and begin to fèlèjà as their oríkì demands.
Warmest Regards,
Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi.