Fresh reports have confirmed that the stage is set for Gbolahan Lawal, a former aide-de-camp (ADC) to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Lagos commissioner for agriculture is about to be announced as the new oniru of Iru. This development would literally be hitting the final nail on the coffin of the life-long ambition of the son of the last king, Aremo Adesegun Oniru. According to an exclusive reports by TheCable, the new Oniru-to-be, resigned his appointment as commissioner yesterday, preparatory to his taking over as the first class monarch of Iruland, which covers Victoria Island, Lagos state, encompassing Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Lekki. other reports even said he had already the traditional conclave in line with activities heralding his coronation. Recall that there have been controversies over who occupies the seat since September 2019 when Idowu Abiodun, the former Oniru, died aged 82.
Aremo Segun Oniru was also an aide of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has assumed the unofficial role of the kingmaker in Lagos for two decades now.
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| Prince Segun Oniru |
Before this new twist, the tussle had been between Adesegun, a former commissioner and son of the late ruler whom some chiefs had reportedly endorsed, and Hakeem Ajasa, a retired police officer also endorsed by a part of the royal family. According to TheCable report, while Ajasa was the favored, his family could not reach about his choice.
Lawal, who was in the running before, is now the most favoured for the throne. Born on July 24, 1970, Lawal obtained a degree in botany from the University of Port Harcourt in 1992.
In 2008, he obtained his post graduate degree in violence, conflict and development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Lawal began his career at the raw materials research and development council at the federal ministry of science and technology in 1994 as a scientific officer.
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| Gbolahan Lawal |
He later joined the Nigerian police force and was commissioned as a cadet assistant superintendent. As a police officer, he served as ADC to Tinubu who was governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2003.
Lawal retired voluntarily in 2008 as a superintendent of police. A year after, he was appointed as senior special assistant on special projects by Babatunde Fashola, then governor of the state.
He was also the coordinator of the agriculture-based youth empowerment scheme (Agric-YES). He was first appointed commissioner for agriculture and cooperatives in 2011. In 2015, he was again appointed commissioner of housing by Akinkunmi Ambode, then governor of the state.