Actor Jide Kosoko has been declared the Oloja of Lagos elect by the King Kosoko Royal Family.
The declaration took place on Monday at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, where members of the royal family gathered for the presentation.
Kosoko was presented by the Olori Ebi General of the King Kosoko Royal Family, Mutiat Ali-Balogun. In line with tradition, she raised the hand of his daughter as a symbolic affirmation. She was assisted by Oyindamola Ayepola, the Deputy Olori Ebi General and Head of the Meshimo Ruling House.
Speaking at the event, Ali-Balogun said, “Today, we are formally presenting Prince Jide Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos elect, having emerged through due process in accordance with our tradition and the law.”
The Oloja of Lagos stool has remained vacant since the death of Adebola Ige on December 23, 2017.
The family explained that Kosoko was selected after a review conducted by a 16 member committee set up to oversee the succession process. The committee invited eligible candidates from the Akinsanya Olojo Kosoko Ruling House to the palace in October 2020.
Four contenders were screened during the process. They included Abiola Olojo Kosoko, the late Shola Kosoko, Issa Aregbesola and Abiola Aromashodu of the Odunsi Ruling House.
After deliberations, the committee concluded that Abiola Olojo Kosoko was the most suitable candidate for the stool. He was subsequently declared Oloja elect on December 12, 2020, in line with the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1983 Registered Declaration guiding succession to the throne.
Members of the ruling house also recalled that several appeals had been made to the Lagos State Government to approve his installation and capping since his emergence.
Kosoko’s next step is the traditional installation and capping ceremony, which is expected to be carried out by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, in accordance with established palace protocols.
Kosoko, who is in his seventies, began his acting career as a child in 1964 and has since built a long career in theatre, film and television as an actor, director and producer.
