The Lagos state government has approved the appointment of Abdul-Wasiu Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru-Elect of Iruland in the state.
Lawal, who was the state commissioner for agriculture before his new appointment, resigned on Thursday ahead of his appointment of Iruland, which covers Victoria Island, Lagos Island, Ikoyi and the Lekki Peninsula.
According to the Media Aide to the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Akosile, the new Oniru’s appointment takes immediate effect from Friday afternoon after the final ratification was made by the state executive council.
Born on July 24, 1970, Lawal obtained a degree in Botany from the University of Port Harcourt in 1992, and had his post graduate degree in violence, conflict and development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in 2008.
He soon 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.
He later joined the Nigerian Police Force. He was commissioned as a cadet assistant superintendent. He served as ADC to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2007.
Lawal retired voluntarily in 2008 as a superintendent of police.
A year after, the former Governor Babatunde Fashola appointed him as a senior special assistant on special projects.
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, the Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode appointed Commissioner of Housing, after which he served as the Commissioner for Agriculture until his new appointment as the oniru.
Indeed the seat of Oniru had been vacant since last September following the death of the former oniru, Idowu Abiodun, who died at age 82, Lawal is the new successor.
In a tweet on his Twitter handle, @followlasg, the State Executive Council announced its approval of the selection of Prince Gbolahan Lawal as the new Oniru-Elect of Iruland.
The tweet noted: “The new Oba-elect until his election was the Commissioner for Agriculture of our state and one of the longest serving members of the state cabinet.”
According to the State Executive Council, as the new Oniru of Iruland, Lawal will take over the illustrious throne and build on the worthy legacy of his forebears.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos, I wish the new Oniru a successful reign that will usher in progress and development of lruland and our state,” the tweet expressed.
