HRM Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom in Lagos is 55 today. President Bola Tinubu, as well as many eminent Nigerians have felicitated the monarch on his 55th birthday.
Speaking on the special occasion, the monarch said: “Today, I give thanks to the Almighty for the gift of life and the privilege of witnessing another year. As I mark my 55th birthday, I reflect with gratitude on the journey so far – one shaped by the unwavering faithfulness of the Almighty, continuous learning, duty, resilience, Royal service, and a deep love for our people and heritage. May our land continue to flourish & May we all live long in good health & abundance to experience many more celebrations together. Ase!”
The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, joins family, friends and well-wishers in celebrating the traditional ruler, who he noted to have devoted his reign to developing Iru Kingdom and Lagos State.
Oba Lawal served as Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp when as Lagos State governor. After retiring from the Police Force as a Superintendent, Oba Lawal returned to school to further his education and widen his knowledge and outlook.
Before ascending the throne as the 15th Oniru, he was a Commissioner in Lagos State at various times in several ministries such as Housing, Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Tinubu commended the royal father for leveraging his vast experience in public service to uplift his community, particularly through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for the less privileged.
The president also applauded Oba Lawal’s advocacy for sustainable urban development and his recent contribution to urban studies through his book ”From City to Megacity: A Memoir of Lagos Urbanisation (1999 – 2023)” -being launched today. He prayed for Oba Lawal’s long reign and continued peace and progress in Iru Kingdom and Lagos State.