Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, presented the staff of office and instrument of appointment to the new Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
The governor said the ceremony was a demonstration of his administration’s resolve to actualise the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of the state.
Despite controversies surrounding Makinde’s emergence, Governor Adeleke described his administration as a “listening one” saying, “Before we came on board on November 27 2022, majority of the inhabitants of this historic community expressed their dissatisfaction with the attempt made by the immediate past administration to force an Oba on Igbajo. The subsisting Chieftaincy Declaration which governs succession to the throne of the Owa of Igbajo, the 2005 Chieftaincy Declaration recognised two (2) Ruling Houses, namely: Owa Iloro and Owa Oke-Ode.”
Speaking further about how the new monarch emerged through “transparent selection process”, Adeleke explained that, “Kabiyesi Oba (Engr.) Adeniyi Olufemi Fasade hailed from the Owa Iloro Ruling House hence upon his demise, it became the turn of the Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House. However, each of the two (2) Ruling Houses also have a number of Branches or Families under them. While the Owa Iloro Ruling House has nine (9) Branches or Families, the Owa Oke-Ode Ruling House has seven (7) Branches or Families.
“In filling the vacant stool, the immediate past Administration did not allow a level playing field for all the seven families in the Owa Oke-Odo Ruling House as it already had an anointed candidate in mind. This was the grouse of the majority of the citizens of Igbajo. That exercise was not in line with the Custom and Tradition of Igbajo.
“In addressing the yearning of the people of Igbajo, my administration inaugurated a Committee to look into all activities of the past Administration on Chieftaincy Matters from July 17 to November 26 2022. The Committee received Memoranda from members of the Public including from this Community. It came up with a recommendation that a proper and all-inclusive Selection Process should be undertaken. It suggested a new process where all contestants will be accommodated for fair play, equity and in line with the law, Custom and Tradition of Igbajo.
“This recommendation was accepted by my administration and here we are today. The transparent and Custom and Tradition Compliant Selection Process produced Oba (Dr.) Ademola Stephen Kayode Makinde whom we are all gathered here this morning to honour with a Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment. This signals Government’s recognition of his right to sit on the throne of his fore-fathers as the Owa of Igbajo.”
Specifically addressing the traditional ruler, the governor said, “Kabiyesi, I rejoice with you on this joyous occasion and I also felicitate with your fellow Royal Fathers who are also here to celebrate this occasion with you. Now, that you are on the throne of your fore-fathers, the period of contest is over and the period of administering the Community has begun. See yourself as the Father of all citizens of Igbajo at home and in the diaspora. Do all you can to unite everyone behind you.
“On daily basis, you must seek the growth and development of Igbajo, Boluwaduro East Local Council Development Area, Osun State and Nigeria as a whole. Cooperate with my Administration and mobilize your people to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the state.”
“To the people of Igbajo, Government listened to your yearnings and actualized your aspirations. As the popular adage goes, To Whom much is given, much is also expected. The Government expects your maximum cooperation and support.
“Government expects you to live in peace and harmony with your neighbours. Government expects you to pay your taxes and levies as and when due. Government expects you to be good citizens of your Community and Local Council joining hands with the Chairman to develop Boluwaduro Local Council Development Area.
“To all our royal fathers gathered here this morning, I enjoin you all to continue to support my Administration and I promise to continue to pay maximum attention to the traditional institution in the state giving due recognition to your roles as the custodians of our revered tradition and culture,” he added.
