>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
One of the two Ekiti monarchs killed by bandits on Monday, Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola, was on track to become a professor within the one next year before his untimely death.
The second-in-command to Oba Olusola and Elejira of Imojo, Chief Ayodele Dada, disclosed this during a meeting between Ekiti State Government officials and elders of the community.
On Monday, gunmen ambushed and killed the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Oba Olatunde, while the Alara of Ara, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, managed to escape.
“We will sorely miss the late Kabiyesi. But in his memory, we appeal to the state government to complete the Imojo Palace project, which he began so that we can name it after him to immortalise him.
“I don’t think it would be up to a year for Kabiyesi to become a professor,” the chief said.
Dada described the monarch’s killing as agonising, adding that the late traditional ruler launched several community development initiatives.
While expressing regret over the recent spate of kidnappings in the state, he urged the state government to step up efforts in providing security for residents.
At the meeting, the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, expressed his complete trust in the security agencies to find those responsible for the monarchs’ killing.
He said the government will not stop working until the whole state is safe.