The Alara of Ilara, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, was among the prominent traditional rulers who participated in a stakeholder engagement with Lagos State Deputy Governor and APC governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in Epe Division.
Epe Insights reports that the meeting brought together the paramount traditional ruler of Epe, His Royal Majesty Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, alongside other respected royal fathers and Baálẹ̀s from communities across Epe Division.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the traditional institution to engage directly with Hamzat on issues concerning the development and future of Lagos State.
Oba Ogunsanwo, who occupies the traditional stool of Ilara, was part of the distinguished gathering of royal fathers at the engagement.
His presence added to the representation of the traditional institutions across Epe Division during the meeting.
The engagement underscored the importance of traditional rulers as key stakeholders in community development and grassroots engagement.
Traditional rulers maintain close relationships with their communities and often serve as important channels for communication between residents and wider leadership structures.
The meeting with Hamzat therefore provided an avenue for strengthening dialogue between political leadership and the traditional institution.
Hamzat used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to building on the progress recorded across Lagos State.
He said his vision is to create a Lagos where every community has reasons to look forward to the future with hope and confidence.
The Deputy Governor also acknowledged the special place Epe holds in his personal story and in the broader development history of Lagos State.
He expressed appreciation for the warmth and support received from the people of Epe during his engagement with the division.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development across Lagos communities.
For traditional rulers, stakeholder engagements provide opportunities to present community perspectives and strengthen relationships with government and political leaders.
The presence of Oba Ogunsanwo alongside Oba Animashaun and other royal fathers reflected the broad traditional representation at the meeting.
It also demonstrated the relevance of the traditional institution in conversations about the future of Epe Division.
Epe Division is home to several traditional communities, each with its own history, leadership structures and cultural identity.
The traditional rulers of these communities continue to play important roles in preserving heritage and promoting community interests.
Oba Ogunsanwo’s participation further placed the Ilara traditional institution within the wider stakeholder engagement involving Epe’s royal fathers and community leaders.
The meeting also offered an opportunity for the different traditional stakeholders to listen to Hamzat’s vision for the future of Lagos.
Hamzat emphasised the need to continue moving the state forward through cooperation and a shared commitment to development.
He noted that every community should have confidence in the direction of the state and its future.
The message resonated with the broader importance of ensuring that development remains inclusive and responsive to the needs of communities.
Traditional rulers can play an important role in supporting such objectives through community engagement and constructive dialogue.
The engagement therefore provided a platform for strengthening relationships between political leadership and the traditional institutions within Epe Division.
Oba Ogunsanwo’s presence was also significant as Ilara remains an important traditional community within the division.
His participation alongside other royal fathers reflected the collective interest of traditional institutions in the development of their communities.
The meeting further demonstrated the value of bringing together political leaders and traditional authorities in discussions about the future of Lagos.
Such engagements can help create opportunities for stakeholders to exchange views and better understand the expectations of communities.
Hamzat expressed gratitude to the royal fathers and residents of Epe for their reception and support.
He reaffirmed his commitment to working with stakeholders as Lagos continues its development journey.
The Deputy Governor also stressed the importance of building a future in which residents across the state can look forward with optimism.
For Epe Division, continued dialogue with political leadership remains important as communities seek greater attention to development and grassroots priorities.
The participation of Oba Ogunsanwo and other royal fathers reinforced the role of traditional leadership in these conversations.
The meeting also presented an opportunity to celebrate the unity of Epe’s traditional institutions while engaging with the political leadership of the state.
Oba Animashaun, as the paramount traditional ruler of Epe, hosted the gathering alongside other respected royal fathers and Baálẹ̀s.
Oba Ogunsanwo’s participation further strengthened the representation of Ilara in the stakeholder engagement.
The gathering ultimately reflected the importance of consultation, collaboration and mutual respect between political leadership and traditional institutions.
As Lagos continues to prepare for the next political phase, engagements with traditional rulers are expected to remain an important part of grassroots dialogue.
Hamzat’s meeting with the royal fathers provided a platform to reinforce his message of continuity, development and confidence in the future.
For Oba Ogunsanwo and other traditional leaders present, the engagement offered an opportunity to remain part of conversations shaping the future of their communities and Lagos State.
The Alara of Ilara’s participation therefore added a notable dimension to the meeting, highlighting the place of traditional leadership in Epe Division’s development conversations.
