A famous traditional leader of global repute in Yoruba and African culture, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusegun Aderemi JP. CMC. MCArb, FIMS, FOSHA (UK), FSFS, the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom in the South-West, Ekiti State, paid a courtesy visit to the new Mayor of Rochdale, Cllr Syed Ali Ahmed, who is now the first Bangladesh Heritage Mayor of Rochdale.
During the royal visit, which had in attendance, the Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Ali Daalat, Portifolio Holder Cllr Iftikar Ahmed, Mayor’s Consort, Sultan Ali, the Founder and the Chair of the Nigerian Community Association in Rochdale, Hon. Mary Oluwabukola Adekugbe, Prince Jones Oluwaseyi Adekugbe, Lady Tosin, Lady Dolapo and our own Nazam Suleman.
In his speech, the Yoruba Community Leader, Atayero, who is a great achiever, philanthropist, caring father, loving and doting husband, an astute builder and motivator, an employer of labor, a devout Christian and a Church elder, said he is proud to say that he is a direct descendant of the Oduduwa, noting that these descendants are all over the world, with the source from the historic Ile-Ife, Osun State, South-West, Nigeria.
His words: “As a direct descendant of the progenitor of the Oduduwa race, I take pride in moving from one continent to the other promoting our culture and the peace which we are known for. I am happy to be here today. I was told about the new Mayor. And since I’m in England, I made it a point of duty to come and congratulate him,” he expressed.
HRM, Oba Aderemi, who is a member of the Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria and a member of American Embassy Commercial Department, however, made mention that during his recent visit, he has met with people of colours who had mentioned about one or two places about Nigeria and have visited, noting that he was surprised at their mentioning of some names peculiar to Lagos State.
The new Mayor, no doubt, expressed gratitude to the King and assured him of sustaining the love and peace among the Nigerian Community Association in Rochdale, even beyond.
After discussions had ensued and have been concluded among the dignitaries, the king was taken on a tour of the Mayor’s office, located at Number One, Riverside Rochdale, and its environs.
However, the king, after his tour, expressed his depth gratitude to the new Mayor and the chairman and co chair of the Nigerian Community Association Rochdale for their zeal in ensuring that Nigerians in Rochdale are doing well.