Daily Independent (Lagos)
Dele Onatade
23 October 2008
Lagos — The palace of Oniru of Irulaland, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru, was agog on Tuesday, October 14, 2008, as the monarch received the delegation of the International Women Society (IWS), who came on a coutesy visit to his Victoria Island palace in Lagos.
The society's delegation led by the President, Mrs. Ngozi Augusta Chibututu, was received by the palace's white cap chiefs and other members of the Council of Chiefs before the arrival of the monarch.
Oba Oniru, who arrived the palace with gbedu traditional drummers as a matter of tradition, met already seated guests, the traditional white cap chiefs, the Baales, members of the Oniru Royal Family and Council of Chiefs of Iruland.
A member of the Oniru Royal Council, Mrs. Mary Bassey, who read the monarch's welcome speech at the epoch making event, said: "His Royal Majesty appreciates the good work the International Women Society is doing in this community, Lagos State, Nigeria and the world as a whole, most especially among the children and women folks."
In his words, Oba Oniru said: "The Oniru Royal Family appreciates the fact that the president and members of her entourage have decided to include in your itinerary a familirisation and courtesy visit to this palace. As a non-governmental organisation, the palace is fully aware of your past, present and future projects, which you have embarked upon and completed or about to be completed and we commend your efforts in the development of women and other humanitarian endeavours."
He also urged the association not to relent in its efforts in ensuring mutual understanding among women and planning a good future for the children.
An engineer by profession, Oba Oniru went down memory lane, telling the history of Iruland in these words: "As a landowning family, the Oniru Royal Family has made a huge investment and now specialises in property development and management. I am reigning as the 14th Oniru of Iruland. I took over the stool of my forefathers on April 1, 1994 after the demise of my father, Oba Yesufu Oniru, who reigned for 50 years between 1934 and 1984. The first Oniru, Oba Onigefon, was one of the children of the legendary Olofin from Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba. Onigefon reigned in the 15th Century and after him 12 others had ruled in succession."
He said the Oniru Royal Family in the past had suffered compulsory acquisition of their landed properties from successive governments both at the Federal and state levels, winning legal battles up to the Privy Council of England in 1952, adding that the Royal Family is now left with 732 acres of land out of the original vast landed properties that belong to the entire family, which is presently known as the Oniru Private Estate.
The estate, which is located in the hinterland of Victoria Island and Lekki axis, comprises the British International School, the Shoprite Mall and Plaza, the Millenium Houses, the Atlantic Beach, the Oniru Royal Family Resettlement Housing Scheme and private individual residential areas, to mention but a few.
In her own words, the President of the International Women Society (IWS), Mrs. Ngozi Augusta Chibututu, said: "IWS was established in year 1957 to foster understanding among the women folk and to execute developmental projects among the children. The society is this year celebrating 51 years of existence as a philanthropic organisation.
We deem it necessary to appreciate and associate with what His Royal Majesty, Oba Abiodun Oniru, is doing in his dormain. If you look left, right and centre, you will not doubt the fact that Oba Oniru is truly a man of the people. The Oniru ultra modern market and the road construction by the royal family and other developmental projects are examples. Above all, the peace that is reigning in this community confirms the fact that his royal majesty is the king of peace."
The concluding part of the visit witnessed the initiation of two wives of Oba Oniru, Olori Aramide and Risikat Oniru and children, Sariat Aladejobi and Ayisat Opesanwo as members of IWS.
Prior to the initiation, the members of International Women Society were moved to a section of the palace where the traditional welcome ceremony was performed in the presence of many indigenes and residents of the Iruland, who trooped out to witness and associate with the members of the association at the event.
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