The King Kosoko Royal Family has announced veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Jide Kosoko, as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, following the vacancy created by the death of Chief Adebola Ige in December 2017.
Kosoko, 72, was formally presented at the King Kosoko Palace in Ereko, Lagos Island, during a ceremony attended by royal family members and well-wishers, with the declaration made by the Olori Ebi General, Mrs Mutiat Ali-Balogun, in line with palace customs.
The announcement, however, comes amid an ongoing succession dispute within the wider King Kosoko Royal Dynasty, as the Akinsanya Olojo Family has petitioned Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to approve the installation of Abiola Olojo-Kosoko as Oloja of Lagos.
The Akinsanya Olojo Family maintains that Abiola Olojo-Kosoko was selected as Oloja-elect on December 12, 2020, following screenings and traditional interviews conducted under customary law and the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law, but has yet to be installed more than four years later.
Meanwhile, Jide Kosoko is expected to undergo traditional installation and capping by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, as he brings decades of cultural and artistic influence to the role, having built a distinguished career in Nollywood since his debut as a child actor in 1964.
