Gbenga Osobu bows out as ISECOM Chairman, renders Account of Stewardship; praises Rotimi Agunsoye

Gbenga Osobu bows out as ISECOM Chairman, renders Account of Stewardship; praises Rotimi Agunsoye

~Lists Police Station, Recreation Centre, Secretariat, Security as Legacy

Isheri Estate Community (ISECOM) Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Osobu, has bowed out after four years in office, rendering a comprehensive account of his stewardship and listing the establishment of a functional police station, recreation centre, permanent secretariat and improved security as his major legacies.

Osobu, who spoke on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, at the Annual General Meeting and Handover of Leadership of ISECOM, said he took over the mantle of leadership from his predecessor, Alhaji Abiola Abioye, after serving as Vice Chairman in the outgoing administration.

Describing the journey as tough, Osobu said he was prepared for the battles and remained steadfast with the support of his Executive, residents and Kabiyesi Oba Adekunle Bamgbade.

Police Station - Credit to Agunsoye, Sanwo-Olu

Osobu paid glowing tribute to Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, former Member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, for facilitating the community's long-sought police station.

"Today, Isheri Estate Community has a functional police station. When we could not get one, we approached Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, who promised that within four months he would facilitate the construction. True to his word, in less than a month the contractors came," Osobu stated.

He disclosed that the land had been earmarked for another purpose and had to be secured through the Lagos State Government via LSDPC, with credit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the MD of LSDPC and residents of LSDPC Medium Estate (Tinubu Estate) who agreed to have the station built there.

After completion, the community added an armoury, fortified the cells and provided a patrol vehicle.

Recreation Centre Battle Won After 99-Year Allocation

Osobu also narrated the protracted battle for the vacant land beside Channels Television where the community wanted a stadium.

After initial denial, the community sought state intervention with support from Hon. Mayoress Samiat Bolanle Bada, Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Hon. Agunsoye, Hon. Femi Saheed, House of Assembly member for Kosofe Constituency 2, Brig. Gen. Lanre Jimoh Goje (Rtd) and others.

Senator Tokunbo Abiru later gave his consent to facilitate a mini stadium, but another set of claimants emerged. Oba Bamgbade insisted the matter be taken to the Governor. The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tayo Ayinde and his team eventually visited the site and instructed that the party laying claim should cede the land to ISECOM.

Osobu announced that the land has now been allocated to the community for 99 years, with advice to pay ground rent to obtain the legal title. He stressed that the survey, building plan and all documents are in the name of ISECOM.

"The land in its entirety, and the property on it, belongs to Isheri Estate Community today, tomorrow, and until the status is redetermined after 99 years. No one in future should be allowed to lay personal claim to that property. It shall remain the property of this community now and forever," he declared.

Road, Security, Sanitation

The outgoing Chairman said God enabled his Exco to facilitate the reconstruction of the estate's major road which was poorly handled by the initial contractor. He said the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA has sent engineers to assess the road and promised collaboration to fix it before Christmas.

On security, Osobu declared that kidnapping, banditry, large-scale stealing and burglary are now behind the community. He thanked the Police, DSS, Army and local vigilantes, noting that the DSS now keeps an eye on the community for prompt action and advised the incoming Exco to maintain engagement with security commands.

He added that during his tenure, seven unclaimed bodies at different times, some mutilated and some accident victims earlier used for rituals, were buried in collaboration with the Police and Local Government. His administration also recovered tons of stolen iron pilfered from construction sites and seriously reduced Okada-related crime and site vandalisation.

Secretariat, OPIC Entrance and Revenue

For the first time in the estate's history, Osobu said, ISECOM now has a functional, furnished secretariat. Until his tenure, Exco operated from individual homes. The land housing the secretariat, which also housed a corporate organisation, MTN, was recovered, furnished and made habitable, leaving behind an office for the incoming Executives.

Similarly, the entrance of OPIC, which was an eyesore with market stalls, shanties and a former dump site, has been cleared and given a new look with revenue-generating billboards.

On finances, he revealed that toll charges at the gate were not increased for over 14 years until two months ago when diplomacy and persuasion were used to get them raised. Revenue is now structured and has risen by over a hundred percent, with additional income from billboards, including those that bring ISECOM revenue, WhatsApp community/business pages, bus advert system and CSR support used for maintaining the stadium.

Osobu thanked those who stood by his administration, including Mr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels TV, Mr. Jide Omole, Mr. Afan Uwejike, MD/CEO of Tradac Enterprises, Brig. Gen. Lanre Jimoh Goje, the Estate Chairmen who constituted the council, along with their secretaries and Excos.

"It is my prayer that by the special grace of God, the incoming Exco will do more to advance our community and give us a prosperous society," he concluded.