Isale Eko Descendants’ Union visits Akiolu, calls for more government presence

The Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) has paid a visit to Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos, seeking his support for the union’s programmes on education, urban regeneration, culture and health.

Established in 1939, IDU mandate is to secure a better future for sons and daughters of Isale-Eko origin, observed infrastructure deficit in the indigenous community, thereby calling upon the state government to address the issue in the area.

Adeniji Kazeem, chairman of the union, made the observation recently when the newly inaugurated members of executive committee paid courtesy visit to Akiolu in Iga Idunganran, the traditional residence of the Lagos monarch.

Other members of IDU’s executive committee on the visit include Aderemi Bashua, Vice Chairman; Adewale Ojora, General Secretary, Dale Ajayi-Bembe, Assistant General Secretary; Yomi Suenu, Welfare Secretary and Akinwale Irokosu, Chairman-designate of the IDU Culture Committee.

Alongside the monarch, who is also the patron of the union, several white cap chiefs led by the Olori Oloye and Opeluwa of Lagos, Lateef Ajose, equally attended the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Kazeem acknowledged his royal majesty for his leadership and sought his support for the union’s programmes on education, urban regeneration, culture and health.

Kazeem, also former attorney-general of Lagos state, observed that Isale Eko was in dire need of attention as its roads were collapsing due to poor drainage, flooding and poor sanitation.

Welcoming IDU’s new executives to his palace, Akiolu advised them to work closely with the state and local governments as well as other stakeholders to address the poor sanitary conditions in the Isale Eko community.

The monarch also emphasised the significance of improving the environment while stating his fear of an epidemic of the level experienced in 1918, if the issue of the environment is not addressed.

Akiolu, who will turn 80 on October 29, directed that IDU should be the coordinating and umbrella body for all the various Indigenous groups in the community so they can speak with one strong voice.

He paid glowing tribute to the exemplary work of late Taslim Olawale Elias, former minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation and president of the International Court of Justice, who pioneered the union’s scholarship fund in 1972.

He explained how the late jurist set up the fund, then as Isale-Eko Descendants Scholarship Fund Committee, to support the indigenous people of Lagos and guarantee a befitting status for them socially, intellectually and politically.

He urged IDU’s newly inaugurated executives to follow the footsteps of Elias, admonishing them to use their position for the promotion of its goals and objectives only and not extraneous issues.

The monarch prayed for the new executives, urging them to discharge their duties in fear of God and work actively for the betterment of the community.