Three years ago, the ancestral homestead of the Ilara Kingdom in the Epe Chieftaincy Division of Lagos State was in the news for the right reason.
Exactly 19th August 2020, the sleepy town woke up to the news of the coronation of Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo as the 55th Alara of Ilara with pomp and pageantry.
The occasion was a double celebration for the former Executive Chairman of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) who mounted the throne of his forefathers at the strategic age of 55.
Oba Ogunsanwo’s ascension to the Alara throne could not have come at a better time. The new Alara is the first consumate and thorough-bred professional to ever mount the throne of the ancient town. Hence, expectations were high he would impact positively on the socio-political landscape of the Ilara Kingdom.
Three years after, Oba Ogunsanwo has attracted rave reviews from all and sundry as he has glowingly etched his feet in the sand of time as a remarkable monarch.
At inception, the new king was smart enough to recognize the need to preach love and unity among the people of Ilara as a pannacea for development. This he successfully did by extending the olive branch to other contending princes in the ancient town. He did not only made peace with them but also mobilized them for the progressive development of Ilara.
Little wonder prominent sons and daughters of Ilara are joining the monarch in ensuring the ancient town take its noble place among the Yoruba ancient traditional stool.
As a mark of honour for his third coronation anniversary, the senator representing Lagos East in the Senate, Senator Tokunbo Abiru facilitated the construction of blocks of classrooms to further enhance educational development in the community.
In appreciation for the love showered on him by his people, Oba Ogunsanwo bestowed Chieftaincy titles on two prominent sons of Ilara who have brought honour and glory to Ilara Kingdom.
For being the leading lights in the Ilara rennaisance, former Managing Director of First Bank PLC, Otunba Bisi Onasanya and Otunba Yemi Lawal, a renowned propertty and real estate magnate were both bestowed with Akinrogun and Bobadara of Ilara chieftaincy titles by Oba Ogunsanwo as part of activities marking his third coronation anniversary.
Understandably, a flurry of encomiums and accolades have continued to greet the Alara on the occasion of his third coronation anniversary from far and wide of Ilara Kingdom.
Speaking on the three year reign of Oba Ogunsanwo, the Olu of Araromi Eleranigbe, Oba (Dr) Hameed Ajijola Oniwonlu described Alara’s three years reign as remarkable in the history of the kingdom noting that the monarch has successfully led the kingdom to it’s pride of place in history in the whole of Epe division.
“Oba Ogunsanwo’s ascension to the Alara has been remarkable. He has been able to restore the pride of Alara as one of the foremost throne in Yorubaland. Ilara Kingdom now has the rightful king at the helms of affair with signs of a bright future ahead of the kingdom.
“My only wish for the king is for God almighty to bestow wisdom and long life on him to take Ilara Kingdom to an enviable height,” says the Olu of Araromi
