The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, at the weekend said that occasionally he will act like a boy if it is to the advantage of Iwo town.
The monarch who made this known at the Iwo day celebration held at the Oba Akanbi stadium in the town maintained that the lives of his subjects are paramount to him.
He posited that, “Any evil that will attack any Iwo indigene should come to me. I’m ready to lay my life down for Iwo indigenes. You cannot attack Iwo indigenes and succeed when I’m alive. And no evil can conquer me.
“I will also be committed to taking Iwo to higher heights through vigorous and rigorous exercise of traditional influence.”
Oba Akanbi, however, called on well-meaning sons and daughters of Iwoland to be more dedicated to Iwo through harmonisation of interest at securing a better future for the land.
The monarch, who expressed optimism on the strength of Iwoland, said, his dream is to see the ancient town greater than the Centre of Excellence, Lagos.
He said his efforts are tailored towards building a distinctively economic vibrant metropolis and charged, stakeholders to complement his endeavours at restoring the glory of the town.
Oluwo, who disclosed the town was the fifth-largest city in Nigeria in 1931 after Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Ogbomosho, assured citizens of his commitment to meet up again and be better through a vigorous and rigorous exercise of traditional influence.
Oba Akanbi called on well-meaning sons and daughters of Iwoland to be more dedicated to Iwo through harmonisation of interest at securing a better future for the land.
“In 1931, according to the census conducted, Iwo was the fifth largest city after Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Ogbomoso. But certain factors that cannot be discussed here caused a monumental drawback. I’ve come to reclaim and restore the glory of the town to compete favourably with Lagos, Kano and other great cities.
“I’m trying my utmost through traditional influence. Occasionally, I act like a boy; I don’t mind presenting myself as a party man if such will be to the advantage of the town.
“While I acknowledge the efforts of the patriots. I want to charge them to continuously toe the path of honour. I look up to the constitution of a powerful team that we designed 2030, 2040 and 2050 visions for Iwoland. We should have a plan of action at intervals to economically, politically, socially and educationally shape the fortune of our great land, Iwo, the home of parrot.
“I appeal to every parent to encourage their children to be loyal and patriotic. Iwo is business-friendly and safe for investment. Let’s harmonise interest to bring out the best in us.
“My enthronement heralded unprecedented recognition for Iwo. Development is in stages. We have successfully established our position and the next is the facilitation of infrastructures. We are on that now. Though it is a sacrifice I’m enjoying it. The results are motivations to do. I enjoin reasonable individuals to cooperate in face-lifting our dear heritage,” he submitted.
First published in Tribune Sunday 19 December, 2021.
