Oniru celebrates five years on the throne with honorary chieftaincy titles, including Erelu Asa to Bolanle Austen-Peters, marking cultural recognition
The Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Abdul-Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, marked his fifth year on the throne on June 14, 2023 with colour and fanfare.
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The event was not only a celebration of peace and continuity in Iruland, but also a moment of honour.
As part of the anniversary, the Oniru conferred prestigious honorary chieftaincy titles on a select group of individuals who have contributed significantly to the cultural, social, and developmental fabric of iruland and Lagos State in general.
Among the most celebrated of the honourees was Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder of Terra Kulture.
She was conferred with the title of Erelu Asa of Iru Kingdom in recognition of her commitment to preserving and projecting Yoruba culture through theatre performance, education, and enterprise.
Accepting the title with grace and a sense of responsibility, Austen-Peters reflected on the essential role peace and stability have played in her ability to impact thousands of children, creatives, and young adults through her work in the arts.
She was not the only one recognised. Also honoured were Chief (Mrs.) Basira T. Smith, named Iya Oba of Iru Kingdom; Chief Adeyemi Idowu, conferred as Aare Majeobaje; Chief Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Ph.D., as Aare So’ludero; Chief Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha as Aare Fiwagboye; Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe as Asoju Oba; and Chief Adegboyega Hakeem Akintoye as Ajiroba.
We have impacted thousands of children, young adults, and creatives across Nigeria, and I do not take for granted the peace and stability in this state which make all this possible.
Each title was carefully selected by the Oniru-in-Council through what palace sources described as a rigorous vetting process, ensuring the honourees not only reflect the values of the kingdom but also embody its aspirations.
The gesture was more than ceremonial. It was part of a broader strategy known as the LeGIT agenda—abbreviation for “Let’s Grow Iru Together”—which outlines eight developmental pillars the palace is using to reposition Iruland as a progressive urban and cultural community.
Earlier in May, ahead of the anniversary celebrations, Oba Lawal visited Terra Kulture to personally commend Austen-Peters for her work and affirm the palace’s desire to deepen partnerships with cultural institutions.
The visit itself underscored the palace’s understanding that the arts are not merely entertainment but vital tools for education, national identity, and economic resilience.
The conferment of these chieftaincy titles, particularly one as symbolically loaded as Erelu Asa, signals a shift in the traditional institution’s approach to cultural diplomacy.
It suggests that influence is measured in one’s capacity to shape minds, create opportunities, and nurture heritage in contemporary ways.
For Austen-Peters, the title is both honour and a charge: a call to continue her work as a guardian of Yoruba creative expression.
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“We have impacted thousands of children, young adults, and creatives across Nigeria,” she said, “and I do not take for granted the peace and stability in this state which make all this possible.”
