Ikorodu Monarch’s Corpse Arrives Lagos

•Ayangburen

•The late Ayangburen

Eromosele Ebhomele & Damilare Okunola

The remains of the late Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, have arrived Lagos from London where he passed on at  the age of 83 on Saturday.

Sources close to the palace informed our correspondent on Monday that the body was being awaited in Ikorodu by the traditionalists who are expected to carry out the burial rites later in the day.

•The late Ayangburen
•The late Ayangburen

According to the source, “the body was being expected early this morning but I can assure you that the body has arrived Lagos already.

“The Oba’s corpse is not something that everyone sees and traditionally, we do not say that the king is not dead, we only state that he made an exit.

“The king belongs to Osugbo, the highest traditional institution around, and they are the ones to oversee the burial rites of the late Kabiyesi. So it is not often made public how, where and when the king is being buried or otherwise.”

Our source, who pleaded anonymity, also stated that “the state government and kingmakers will have to sit down and make arrangements for the ceremonial burial which is what many of us will be privileged to witness.

“As at yesterday (Sunday), the palace was being locked but it should be opened today, hopefully, for condolence messages by sympathisers.”

When P.M.NEWS reached the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabir Sotobi, for details of the burial rites, he simply told our correspondent to “come to the palace by 12 noon, you shall find out for yourself.”

The Ayangburen, who was the Vice-Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, passed on in an undisclosed London hospital at the weekend.

He was regarded and revered as the ‘father of all’ in Ikorodu and its environs.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has described as shocking the passage of the monarch.

Reacting to the sad occurrence, Governor Fashola described the late Oba as an epitome of discipline and integrity who loved his people and the state.

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He said the state would sorely miss the royal father and national merit award winner, who had contributed immensely to the development of the country, the state and indeed the Ikorodu community.

Governor Fashola noted that the death of the paramount ruler, coming at this time, would surely rob the state of the great contributions and wisdom of the very humane monarch, who carried the interest of the state above all other considerations till he breathed his last.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the paramount ruler and for Almighty God to grant the family he left behind, as well as his subjects and indeed the entire Ikorodu Community, the fortitude to bear the loss.

Also, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has expressed shock over the death of  the monarch.

Ikuforiji, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Adebayo, said the traditional ruler was “an uncommon and irreplaceable royal father who used his ancient throne to transform the lives of his people and his community.”

Ikuforiji equated the news of the demise of Oyefusi with the strike of a thunder which happens suddenly.

“It is sad, most unfortunate and very hard to believe. How I wish it was a fallacy.

“For us in Lagos State, Oba Oyefusi is one Oba that effectively blended the ancient cultures of our people with modernity in order to positively impact the lives of our people, ” the Speaker said, describing the late Ayangburen as a repertoire of superb wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

The Speaker said the late Oba’s contributions to the transformation of the state since September, 1971 when he was crowned would forever stand him out.

“It is on record, for instance, that but for the huge and proactive support of Oba Oyefusi for the Lagos State government since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, all the great achievements recorded by our state today would have been a mirage. He was an Oba that at all times stood for the good and joy of his people.

“His untimely demise at this time is therefore something that ought not have happened now, when all and sundry still looked up to such a forthright, credible, and fearless royal father for guidance in the journey ahead,” Ikuforiji added.

While commiserating with family members of the late monarch, the traditional council and the state, Ikuforiji prayed that the traditional ruler rests in peace.

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