•LAGOS Lawmaker, Hon. NOHEEM ADAMS Explains
Hon. Noheem Adams is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1. He is also a native of Ogombo community He recently revealed to MetroNews his personal relationship with the Kabiyesi of Ogombo, Oba Muslim Abiodun Ogunbo and also their expectations from the new King after he has been elevated from Baale to a crown King of Ogombo land. He said if he should start talking about kabiyesi, two or three hours won’t be enough because their relationship is dated back to his youthful days but because of time and his tight schedule, he will speak of some of outstanding quantities of kabiyesi he noticed years back and his expectations after the coronation ceremony.
Hon. Noheem Adams says “Kabiyesi is a philanthropist par excellence. He wants people around him to be happy always. For this reason, if anyone should cry to his house for assistance, such person will come out with laughter” he asserted.
The honourable said” in Ogombo community, he as a person has benefited immensely from Kabiyesi. He has been playing a fatherly role in my life both financially and morally, since my childhood. I could recall during my Youth Corp Service year (NYSC),he single handedly sponsored me. While I was working at internal revenue, kabiyesi gave me his personal car then, to make my going and coming easier. I used the car for six months before returning it back to him at will. During my first election to the Lagos State House of Assembly, him and my brother Alhaji Muniru Ogunleye were very supportive, physically and materially. They both supported me with alot of money and even joined my campaign trail.
“And during my re-election, he also joined the campaign trail again and I won. Even during this recent primary election to the state house of Assembly, he was a co-sponsor. With all these have witnessed, kabiyesi is a giver to the chore. He’s someone who sacrifices his money and time for others. He’s been loved by both old and young in the community, for this reason, I want to thank him for being a good father and head to me and the entire Ogombo community “he enthused.
Meanwhile, away from all he has said, Hon. Noheem Adams was asked about the things he saw as a challenge to Kabiyesi of Ogombo, “He responded by saying that every human has his or her own challenges of life but but one thing I noticed as a challenge in Kabiyesi’s life is the appetite he has in ensuring he goes extra mile to attend to the needs of anyone that seek assistance from him despite not convenient for him at that particular period. This is one major challenge I noticed in him” he revealed. He was then asked if he could say something about the years, Ogombo has been in existence and also if there are challenges encountered in the process of elevating the status of kabiyesi of Ogombo from Baale to a crown King. He answered by saying Ogombo has been in existing since l6th century. And I can tell you that while we were planning or processing the Obaship for Ogombo, we did not have any challenge over that. Also to be frank, we encounter not a single challenge in the process of elevating kabiyesi status, it’s went smoothly due to the Goodwill of Kabiyesi Oba Muslim Abiodun Ogunbo to his community and everyone that comes across him in life.
All sons and daughters of Ogombo community unanimously installed Kabiyesi back then as the Baale of Ogombo. Elevating him to the status of a crown King is an easy task due to the overwhelming support of the community. The entire community collectively signed the application for elevating Baale of Ogombo to a crown King, which was forwarded to Local Government Chieftaincy Committee for approval before been Finally approved by the Lagos State Government. It’s shows the level of unity radiating among the people of Ogombo community.
The Honourable went further that, as sorr.eone born and brought up in Ogombo who also know the historical background of Ogombo community, explained to Metro News that six Baales came before the New Oba. The Baaleship is being rotated between Adelaru and Odufuwa. And that led to the question of how many ruling houses are existing in Ogombo? He said, there are nine ruling house’s which comprises of Ogunremi, Ogundare, Dada Omolara, Abigi, Ogunleye, Kushoro, Taiwo Shadipe and Ogunbo. And interestingly the Honourable himself belongs to one of the ruling house which is Dada Omolara.
We jokingly told the Honourable that you are a prince in Ogombo community and he responded that”if you say so”. We now asked the Honourable, the support he rendered in the process of elevating the status of the Kabiyesi from his former position as Baale. He first of all gave thanks to Almighty Allah for rewarding their efforts and answered prayer. He said categorically that someone cannot single handedly install a Baale nor a king. It must be a collective agreement of the community. For this reason, he said” I would not say it’s me” but Almighty Allah and collective efforts of the entire community that makes the dreams come true.
We asked him to shed light as regards the size of Ogombo community and he said” Ogombo is like 2,062- two hectares of land. Ogombo is the only community that has the biggest land Mass in the whole of Eti-Osa with Sango- Tedo Sharing boundaries with Ajah and Abidjan. That’s just it” .
Finally, the honourable was asked about what are the expectations of the community from the crowned King, after installation? He said” they all expect him to unite the community, the way he has been doing before and also ensure peace reign supreme in the community” .
He reiterated that kabiyesi has been playing a fatherly role in his life for over 30 years now even before becoming kabiyesi. He will forever be his father and someone to look up to anyday and anytime” He concluded.
By Kunle Oguleye
