Oyebanji urges unity among Ekiti monarchs

MUBARAK LUKMON EKITI

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has called for unity and corporation among traditional rulers in the state, stressing that such cohesion is needed to ensure peace and sustainable development across the state.

Governor Oyebanji made the call on Saturday during the 70th birthday thanksgiving service of the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro held at the St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Ido Ekiti. He noted that unity among the royal fathers would further pave the way for a more structured and collaborative approach to addressing the challenges confronting the state.

Stressing the importance of the traditional institutions in maintaining the cultural heritage of the state, while also acting as custodians of peace and progress, the Governor stated that a united traditional council is essential in promoting government policies at the grassroots, thus enhancing good governance and development.

He urged the traditional rulers to strengthened unity among themselves, set aside any differences that may hinder the development and progress of the state

While congratulating the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ilori l-Faboro on his 70th birthday, Governor Oyebanji, who paid a glowing tribute to the monarch, lauded his immense contributions to the development of Ido-Ekiti and Ekiti State as a whole.

Highlighting Oba Ilori- Faboro’s ability to foster harmonious relationships between his subjects, and neighbouring communities, the Governor said his leadership had help in strengthening the bond between the traditional institution and the state government, thereby driving progress in the state.

“Kabiyesi, today is a special day, 70 in Nigeria is a big deal, in a country where expectancy age is between 45 and 55 years, so to be 70 in Nigeria, we have every cause to thank God and taking into consideration your own trajectory in life. On behalf of the Government of Ekiti State, let me say thank you for your support for our government”

“To our royal fathers, I say congratulations and I thank you for your support for our administration. When I walked in and saw our royal fathers dressed like this, I was happy. I will just plead that our fathers should use the occasion of this 70th birthday to come together so that Ekiti State can develop. I know that if we are united, we can recreate Ekiti parapo, not to fight any war but to develop Ekiti State and history has it that when Obas are united in one accord, there is no mountain that will be too difficult for us to surmount” the Governor asserted.

Responding to the Governor’s plea to the Obas, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe assured the Governor that the monarchs in Ekiti remain united and committed to the development and progress of the state, stressing that they have always played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability across their domains and will continue to support government’s vision for a united and prosperous Ekiti..

Oba Adejugbe, while highlighting the long standing cooperation between the traditional council and the state government, noted that the monarchs have always prioritize the well-being of the citizens in the state.

In his own response, the celebrant, Oba Ilori- Faboro, while expressing his gratitude to the Governor and the people of Ekiti State for their support throughout his reign, reaffirmed his commitment to the continued growth and stability of his community and the state at large.

Earlier in his sermon, the Anglican Bishop, Ekiti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Anthony Olusola Ajayi; urged Oba Ilori- Faboro to see the attainment of the age of seventy as a blessing from God, adding that living up to that the age has conferred on him the grace and IPP to review his life and change certain things.

Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs), Monisade Afuye; Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Cyril Fasuyi; members of the State Executive Council, and traditional rulers from different parts of the state.

I got to London yesterday evening to receive the shocking and devastating news of your departure to join our ancestors. The news was a rude shock and indeed tragic because it happened while we are all still savoring my installation as the Olori Omooba of Akile Ijebu.

Your death has no doubt left a huge vacuum in our hearts, our House, the FIDIPOTE Ruling House of Ijebu land, and of course the entire Ijebu race as you’re our Royal family Chairman and the Chairman, Council of Otunbas Akile Ijebu.

I must admit that this loss is a personal one for me as you have always been a huge source of wisdom and knowledge for me and thousands of people, on all fronts. I have lost a strong pillar of support, indeed a bastion.

Omo Oba Jadiara/Fidipote
Omo Alakatapo to se bi obo o gbon, Obo gbon, tinu obo l’obo nse
Omo Egbo Mogun,
Omo olowo j’oye meji,
O je Dagburewe o tun je Awujale.

It is therefore with sadness in our hearts, though with gratitude to Almighty Allah for a life well-lived that we announce the passing unto glory of our Royal family Chairman, Otunba WAHAB Akanmu Osinusi, the Otunba FIDIPOTE of Akile Ijebu, today, 30th day of September, 2023.

Rest in peace our icon of no mean status.

Otunba Afidipote/ Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu,
Omooba Wasiu Olasunkanmi Ayinde Adesanya Marshal.

Announcer for the family

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H

Equally, the Urhobo monarch conferred the title of Chieftaincy “Omamoraye” on the First lady of Kano state, Assoc. Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Umar.

Speaking during a colorful ceremony on Saturday evening at his palace, in Ogoni Olomu, Ughelli South local government of Delta state, the traditional ruler, Ovie Dr. Richard Ogbon, said the honor was to reciprocate the respect and love shown to his subjects by the governor.

He explained that a prominent Urhobo son and a onetime military administrator of Kano State, late Brig, Gen. Dominic Oneya, had told him about the amiable relationship between him and Governor Ganduje, long before he became governor, and personally proposed that the Kano state governor be honored with an Urhobo chieftaincy title.

Ovie Dr. Richard Ogbon acknowledged that Gov. Ganduje was a detribalized gentleman who believes in national unity, even as he appreciated the governor for appointing Chief Anthony Oneya as one of his Special Advisers.

Shortly after the chieftaincy conferment rites, presided over by Olomu High Chiefs, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the honor was in tandem with the ideals of national integration, as promoted by the National Youth Service Scheme, initiated by the Gowon administration.

The scheme, he argued, “has gone a long way in instilling the spirit of oneness among Nigerians irrespective of tribal and religious inclinations”, stressing that General Gowon deserves to be applauded for upholding national cohesion.
Dr. Ganduje emphasized that “each Nigerian tribe has its own peculiarity and such differences could be efficiently managed to form the basis of national strength”.

The governor thanked the ruler and people of Olomu kingdom for finding him and his wife worthy of prestigious chieftaincy titles, expressing optimism that the relationship between Urhobos and Kano state would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Meanwhile, the governor and his entourage took time off to visit the family of late Brig. Gen. Dominic Oneya in Warri, where his wife Mrs. Paricia Oneya, hosted them to lunch.

The governor was accompanied to Delta state by the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim AbdulQadir, the Majority leader, House of Representatives, Alhaji Alhasan Ado Garba, the State Head of Civil Service, Alh. Usman Bala Muhammad, mni, the District Head of Dawakin Tofa, Sarkin Ban Bichi, Alhaji Isma’ila Umar, Alhaji Nasiru Aliko and the State APC Vice Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Maigari, among others.