The ancient kingdom of Ikorodu was awash with pomp, colour, and cultural splendour as it celebrated the 10th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu.
As part of the landmark celebrations, a prestigious chieftaincy title was conferred on an illustrious son of the soil from the diaspora, Chief John James Omobowale Olomo.
Chief Olomo, a descendant of the Olomo family of the Mosene lineage in Ikorodu, reconnected with his Nigerian roots through DNA testing and genealogical research. His findings linked him to the Mosene royal chieftaincy family — descendants of the first Moseni, a prince from the Sinlu royal family of Imota.
In recognition of his reconnection journey and dedication to promoting African heritage, Oba Shotobi honoured him with the title Baaseto Ipadabosile of Ikorodu Kingdom, meaning “the pathfinder who leads the diaspora back to their source and origin.” The title aligns closely with his work at Tribal Tapestry, an initiative dedicated to helping African Americans trace their ancestry and reconnect with their ancestral homelands in Africa.
Speaking with emotion, Chief Olomo described the moment as a historic homecoming:
> “It is an honour to trace my roots so far and find my way back to my origin, let alone discover my family. The Baaseto Ipadabosile title perfectly complements the work we do at Tribal Tapestry, where we help our brothers and sisters in the diaspora return home,” he said.
The event drew dignitaries from within and beyond Nigeria, including Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who personally welcomed Chief Olomo. She commended the Ayangburen for preserving culture and fostering diaspora connections, pledging continued support for similar initiatives.
The anniversary celebrations featured traditional dances, cultural displays, and other chieftaincy installations, reflecting Ikorodu’s deep-rooted heritage. Since ascending the throne in 2015, Oba Shotobi has been widely praised for upholding the kingdom’s traditions while promoting global cultural exchange.
The conferment of a chieftaincy title on a diaspora returnee underscored the monarch’s commitment to building enduring bridges between Africa and its descendants across the world.
