It was a heartbreaking gathering at the Palace of the Late Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka, as the Igbo community especially of the All Progressive Congress (APC) gathered to commiserate with the brother of the Late Oba.
The 64 years old monarch reportedly died shortly after observing Eid prayers on Wednesday.
With the mourning look on their faces, most of them described the Late Oba as a detribalised person and an epitome of unity, peace, love and justice.
While regretting that the Late Agbabiaka would be solely missed by all the people that had a relationship with him in his lifetime, they called on the incoming Oba to buy into his legacy of openness, unity and justice that he left behind.
According to them this legacy of justice was the sustaining power of the kingdom that made everyone work as one for the growth of the kingdom.
Chief Afam Chukuma of Awka Etiti, representing the Leader of the Ndi Igbo APC, led the Igbo Community in Isolo to the visit on Friday.
Speaking to newsmen at the condolence visit, Chukuma said the Oba was open to the Igbos, a detribalised human being and a man of justice.
His words: “We are here to pay our last respect to the Late Oba of Isolo. The burial took place on Sunday and some of us were here but we came here today to commiserate with the brother as members of Igbo stakeholders in Lagos, Isolo chapter.
“He is a very special man to us, the Oba was very nice to all of us, and his brother too is our very good friend. So we decided to come today, we are Igbo stakeholders that reside in Isolo, Igbo APC, to commiserate specially with the brother.
“We have seen him, we have commiserated with him. He was crying, we consoled him, we told him to be strong because it is only God that gives and takes. We as the living have to honour the dead so we have to plan ahead and we have to keep living.
“Oba was nice to us before his demise, Oba was open to the Igbos, Oba was a detribalised human being, Oba was a man of justice. He wouldn’t know whether you’re an Igbo or Yoruba when it comes to looking into cases, looking into matters.
“He will go for justice; that’s one legacy about him that we will want the next Oba to learn from him. That is one legacy that has sustained this kingdom, which has kept all of us together. We really don’t know the difference between Igbos and Yorubas in terms of our relationship in Isolo. We all live together as brothers; we all live together as one.
“Many times you hear about ethnic crises you won’t hear that much in Isolo because of the way Oba has managed this place. We all loved ourselves so much, we were all loyal to his kingdom and we all lived peacefully with him until his demise. We are mourning but only God knows. What can we do?”
On his part, Chief Afolabi Yegugude, one of the chiefs in the community expressed an unpleasant surprise at the demise of Agbabiaka, lamenting that they were preparing for his 20 years on the throne before he suddenly passed on.
“Today there is no smile on our faces but we thank God that it is God that gives us and takes it back. I can’t believe what has happened from the beginning to now and it is not easy at all because we ought to be celebrating his 20 years on the throne today but now we are conducting his burial ceremony.
“However, we thank God for everything because ‘Kabiyesi’ was a good person in terms of blending everybody together, the Igbos and the Hausas. As a chief myself, I know what ‘Kabiyesi’ was capable of doing in my life and family, even in the community.
“If you enter the community now everywhere is full of sorrow not happiness but we have to conduct the burial ceremony.”
Also speaking, the traditional Prime Minister of Ndi Igbo in Isolo land, High Chief Joshua Amadi, described the Late Oba of Isolo as a good friend of his, saying they were business partners.
“Most of the lands I sold when he was alive I informed him. I cannot sell any land without getting his approval and he will not hesitate. If it is a nice one he will say I should sell. I will go on and sell it, if it is one that is not good, maybe the papers have some encumbrances in it he will tell me not to put my hand in it and I will leave such land. This was how we were playing on,” he disclosed.
Continuing, he said Late Agbabiaka was particularly nice to the Igbo extraction with no ethnic bias of any form; he therefore called on the incoming Oba to emulate him and key into his legacy.
“He was a nice man to Igbos in Lagos, particularly in Isolo. The Late Oba was too good. You won’t even know the difference between the Igbos, Yorubas and other tribes that are staying in Isolo here.
“When you go nearer to him you will know he is a very nice man. If you have a case and you go to him, he will listen to you attentively, give you his advice and if you take that advice you will not regret it,” he stated.
“In conclusion, he was a nice man. We hope that the man that will change him will be nice also,” he urged.
The Late Oba Agbabiaka was a first class traditional ruler cherished by the Isolo community that would not forget his fatherly love in a hurry.
Some leaders of Igbo stakeholders and Ndigbo in APC, at the condolence visit to the family of the late Oba of Isolo include Hon.Kanayo Osondu, Councillor representing the good people of Okota ward and the Deputy Leader of the 5th legislative house, Isolo LCDA, High Chief J.C Amadi, Onowu Ndigbo, Isolo LCDA, Prince Sylvester Obi, Supervisor on Ethnic and Cohabitating, Isolo LCDA.
Also at the condolence visit were Chief Comrade Chika Ononiwu, Women leader Justus Amadi, Coordinator Ejigbo LCDA, Hon. Leo Chioma, former Councillor(F3), Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, Chief Emeka Nwagboso, Coordinator, Isolo LCDA, and others.