By Lukman Olabiyi
• Oba Akiolu and others
Culture means many things to many people. But universally, culture is what dictates the way of life of people, including their food, mode of greeting, dressing, worship and most importantly their fashion. All these were what heralded the unveiling of new Ojon of Lagos by Oba Rilwan Akiolu recently.
The event reminded Lagosians of the rich cultural heritage the city on water has. Residents within and around the palace of Oba of Lagos, Iga Iduganran, struggled to have glimpse of the new white cap chief, Tajudeen Adisa Abisogun as different groups led him to different shrines in Isale Eko (Lagos Island) before being officially unveiled.
The stool of Ojon of Lagos became vacant after the demise of Chief Nurudeen Olubiyi Agoro in 2019. The stool can only be occupied by four families including Agoro, Abisogun, Odu-Dhadeko and Omoloto Olorunfunmi. They formed Dosunmu Ojon Chieftaincy Family. The passage of Agoro paved way for Abisogun to become the new Ojon.
Oba Akiolu advised the new chief to be highly disciplined and not greedy: “He must be absolutely honest and a no-nonsense person. He must not abrogate to himself that he has knowledge of the whole world.
“He must not be greedy, because there is nothing anybody brought to this world. He should look after the welfare of his children and his family.”
Lagos State Head of Service (HoS), Bode Agoro, who is also from the chieftaincy family said: “I sincerely appreciate and congratulate my father, Oba Akiolu for witnessing this occasion. I also congratulate my brother, Prince Abisogun, may your reign as the new Ojon of Lagos bring peace, love and harmony to the family and the entire Lagos State.”