Encomium
IT was yet another day of glory for Hon. Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Lagos House of Assembly and his wife, Engr. Mosunmola Olulade, who were honoured by Oba Adegboyega Adefowora (JP), the Alaketu of Ketu with the chieftaincy title of Otunba Mayegun and Yeye Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom respectively on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the Oba’s palace. The couple spoke with ENCOMIUM Weekly on their feelings about the chieftaincy title.
‘It is a challenge to do more’ – HON. SEGUN OLULADE on his new traditional title
Congratulations on your installation as Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom.
Thank you very much.
How do you feel being honoured with this traditional title?
I feel excited. I feel great and I am so happy that I am being celebrated and appreciated by my people. Though the chieftaincy is ceremonial, I am still excited about it. It is a great impression they have given me today.
What would you say informed the Oba giving you this chieftaincy title?
I think it has to do with my contribution, particularly my representation of the people at the House of Assembly and my introduction of participatory democracy which has brought the dividends of democracy to the people of the area. I think this and other things that I have done gave Kabiyesi and the chiefs the impression to honour me with this title.
Are you the first Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom?
Yes, I am the first Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom.
What responsibility does this new traditional title bestow on you?
It is a great challenge for me to do more. It’s a call to service, to ensure we have the best in terms of development in Ketu Kingdom in particular and Epe in general.
‘It is a honorary title’ – YEYE OTUNBA MAYEGUN
Congratulations madam on your new chieftaincy title as Yeye Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom.
Thank you.
How do you feel?
I am happy based on the fact that it’s the recognition of hard work that my husband is doing in his responsibilities and for the fact that his people actually appreciate his efforts. When a title like this comes from the Oba, it shows the significance of the work the person is doing. I am really happy. It’s good to know that you are well appreciated.
Did you ever envisage such title would be bestowed on you?
I wouldn’t say I am surprised really, whether it would come from Ketu Kingdom is what I have not thought of. Because over the years, we’ve had people telling us we are going to give you this, we are going to give you that. We are Christians, we’ve always said no. We really didn’t have much interest then. But when this one came, there was absolutely nothing anybody could do about it. And based on his position he just had to accept it.
What kind of responsibilities does your traditional title bestow on you?
I think it’s basically to do more than we have been doing. I think it’s just to be more homely to the women and relate with them and be more involved in whatever goes on in the Oba’s palace.
Does the title in anyway conflict with your religious belief?
No. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It is a honorary one and not a traditional one. It is just like an award for a job well done by the Oba.
How do you feel when your friends and colleagues now refer to you as Yeye?
I don’t personally like it. So, I have told them to call me by my first name, Mosunmola.
You don’t like the Yeye thing?
I really don’t like it.
Gists from the installation
KETU, a sleepy town between Itoikin and Epe, was agog with festivity on Thursday, March 20, 2014, when the King, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora (JP), in commemoration of his tenth coronation anniversary decided to honour many sons and daughters of the area with honorary chieftaincy titles.
Amongst those honoured on that day was Hon. Segun Olulade, a first term member of Lagos House of Assembly and the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy. He was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom. His wife, Engr. Mosunmola Olulade was also honoured with the chieftaincy title of Yeye Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom.
Others who were also honoured same day include Professor Olu Akewusola, the Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija Epe; Hon. Jamiu Segun Agbaje, the Chairman, Epe Local Government Council; Hon. Abiodun Tobun, member Lagos House of Assembly; Alhaji Sakiru Seriki, a.k.a Bamu and Mr. Adeniyi Otunniyi, Council Manager, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Council.
PROFILE OF THE NEW OTUNBA MAYEGUN
Hon. Ganiyu Olusegun Olulade was born on July 20, 1971, in Ejinrin, Ikosi-Ejinrin LCDA, Epe, Lagos State. He attended RCM Primary School, Ejinrin and Lofi Ogunmude Comprehensive College, Ejinrin for secondary education. He later attended Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos, where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree (with honours) in Economics Education in the Second Class Upper Division.
A businessman who is well known among PSP operators and waste managers in Nigeria, he became a member of Lagos State House of Assembly in 2011, representing Epe Constituency II. Even before he became a member of the legislative body, he was well known for his philanthropic gesture. Many students and youths have been beneficiaries of his GCE/JAMB tutorial classes and free forms.
More than 12 communities which include Ado-Ikosi in Agbowa, Odo-Onosa, Ajebo, Ketu, Ejinrin, Temu, Noforija, Mojoda, Bowon, Igboye and Jengbede have benefitted from his philanthropic gesture when he gave them boreholes and generating sets to power it.
Otunba Segun Olulade is married to his heartthrob of many years, Engr. Mosunmola Olulade, who herself was honoured with Yeye Otunba Mayegun of Ketu Kingdom. They are blessed with two children.
INSTALLATION PROPER
Like other awardees, the Olulades’ installation was brief. They were just presented with bitter kola and calabash after which they were conferred with the new chieftaincy titles.
As part of the installation ritual, however, the new Otunba like all other new title holders were made to dance to the traditional drum (gbedu).
THE RECEPTION
After the installation at the town hall, the new Otunba and Yeye Otunba moved with their guests, friends and well wishers to his country home at Ejinrin where they were all entertained with sumptuous meals. The reception took place in his expansive compound and in his sitting room. While his colleagues from the House of Assembly were entertained in his tastefully furnished sitting room upstairs, his political associates and other guests were entertained under the several tents that adorned his expansive compound.
THE HONOURABLES THAT CAME CALLING
Members of Lagos House of Assembly that came all the way from Lagos to Ejinrin to felicitate with one of their own were Rt. Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, Hon. (Dr.) Bayo Adeyeye, Hon. Rotimi Lateef Abiru, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu, Hon. Adebisi Yusuf, Hon. Ramotallahi Akinolu-Hassan, Hon. Mufutau Egberongbe, Hon. Kazeem Ademola Alimi, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, Hon. Raheem Adewale Kazeem, Hon. Dayo Fafunmi, Hon. Ahmed Omisore, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, Hon. Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla and Hon. Lawrence Ayeni.
All of them came in one coaster bus and left together to Hon. Abiodun Tobun residence in Epe town.
Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho and Hon. Abdoul Baq Balogun later came on their own.
MEMBERS OF LASLEWA TOO
Members of Lagos State Legislators Wives Association (LESLEWA), led by Mrs. Mayowa Ikuforiji, also made it a point of duty to get to the sleepy town of Ejinrin, where the reception held.
Dr. (Mrs.) Adeyeye, the wife of Dr. (Hon.) Adeyeye, was, however, there before other members.
– TOLANI ABATTI
