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Oyo State Government, on Thursday and Friday, presented staff of office to six traditional rulers in Oke Ogun area of the state.
The new traditional rulers include Chief Oyelowo Joseph Oyetunde, Apeerin of Saki; Prince James Okanlawon Adigun, Lasigbon-Kinnikinni of Saki; Alhaji Jimoh Adeola Ayiki, Baale Oke-Oro; and Alhaji Raimi Aiki Boorepo, Baale-Iya of Saki.
Others are Oba Abiodun Oyerinde Owolabi (Oyekuleyin l), Onibise of Ibise-Otu; and Chief Thomas Opoola Olaore (Ariina lll), Baale of Komu.
Presenting staff of office to the traditional rulers, Governor Seyi Makinde charged them to work with their subjects for the development of Oke Ogun.
Makinde, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, also enjoined the traditional rulers to be accommodative, tolerant and diligent in the day-to-day administration of their domains and urged the subjects to rally round them.
He disclosed that his administration is taking the bull by the horn, on matters relating to insecurity, land grabbing and illegal mining in the area.
The governor, who noted that security of lives and property is a collective responsibility, said all hands must be on deck to tackle insecurity.
He admonished residents to cooperate with the government in tackling insecurity, saying, “when you see something, say something.”
“It is a great pleasure to present the instrument of office to the newly installed traditional rulers and to address this august gathering briefly on this occasion.
“By the death of former holders of the various chieftaincy titles at various times, the royal stools of Baale Oke – Oro of Saki, Baale Iya of Saki, Apeerin of Saki and Lasigbon of Saki, which are recognised chieftaincy under the chiefs law called for the nomination and appointment of candidates from their various royal families to fill the vacant positions.
“I urge you to work together as one indivisible entity for the progress and development of your various towns, and also the security and well-being of the people living in these various communities must be paramount because without the people, the community can not stand.
“I want to make it known that this administration accords traditional institution a pride of place in the scheme of things. Our traditional rulers are held in high esteem and their welfare and well-being are being accorded priority also,” Olayiwola said.
The commisioner appealed to the citizens, including the newly installed traditional rulers to cooperate with the government of Oyo State for the successful implementation of its programmes.
“On this note, I have the greatest pleasure to present the Instrument of office, which is the symbol of authority to the traditional rulers,” he added.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Chairmen of Saki West Local Government, Engr. Sarafadeen Ahmed Omirinde, and Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon. Ojo Bolaji Akintola, appreciated Makinde the for putting their respective local government into consideration by approving installation of the traditional rulers.
They stated that traditional institution play vital roles in ensuring maximum security of lives and property of their subjects.
The duo equally urged the traditional rulers to join hands with the state and local governments to eradicate the menace of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling ravaging communities in recent times.
“It is pertinent to be at peace with other surrounding communities in order to achieve success in the area of security and better development,” they said.