You need character to succeed, Tinubu tells Oniru

L-R: Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) and Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II); during the coronation ceremony of Oba Oniru at the Iru Palace, Victoria Island, on Sunday, September 6, 2020. Photo: LASH‌

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has advised the 15th Oniru of Iru land in Lagos State, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Omogbahan Lawal, to be of good character.

He said this at the installation rite of Lawal, the coronation reception, and public presentation of the kingdom’s insignia on Sunday.

Tinubu was quoted as describing the Oniru as a son in a statement on Sunday.

The former Lagos governor said the “Oniru is a good choice for the kingdom” and urged members of ruling houses in the kingdom to rally round the Oniru for the progress of Iru land.

Tinubu, however, urged the monarch to “show good character as a key component of leadership”, noting that Lawal’s “effort to move the kingdom forward would be futile without character”.

The APC National Leader said the event should signal an end to the tussle and controversies that trailed the selection of Oba Lawal as Oniru, saying it was time the kingdom moved on.

He vouched for the leadership qualities of the monarch, pointing out that Oba Lawal has an enormous capacity to endure, learned, and listen.

Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his remark, described traditional institutions as an “indispensable branch” of Yoruba society, stressing that the socio-economic growth witnessed in Iru kingdom in the last two decades had contributed in no small measure to the development of Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said he had absolute confidence in the leadership ability of Oba Lawal to transform the kingdom into a 21st-century city of commerce and culture.

He said, “I have absolute confidence in the ability and capacity of His Royal Majesty to bring about a greater transformation that will benefit everybody and further reposition Iruland within the metrics of development in Lagos State.

“My advice to all citizens of this great kingdom, as well as residents, is to continue to stand firm and united behind the king in order to advance the development and prosperity of this kingdom for the benefit of all.”

Oba Lawal described the event as “another significant chapter” in the annals of the kingdom, thanking Sanwo-Olu for approving his selection by the kingmaker and the support since his installation.

The monarch said the priorities of his leadership would focus on the socio-economic development of the kingdom, disclosing that the palace had established an independent nonprofit organisation – HRM Abisogun II Foundation for Peace and Development – with the objective to drive multi-stakeholder partnerships for peace and prosperity of the kingdom.