The Kwara State Government has presented the Staff of Office to three prominent traditional rulers in Ifelodun and Ekiti Local Government Areas of the State.
The traditional rulers include the Alagunjin of Agunjin in Ifelodun Local Government, Oba Isiaka Malik Babatunde Adekeye; Olowo of Ita-Olowo, Ora District, Ifelodun Local Government, Oba AbdulRazaq Adekola Salau and Elepe of Epe-Opin in Ekiti Local Government, Oba Afolabi Odeniyi Gabriel.
Oba Adeyeye was presented with 3rd Class Staff of Office, while Oba Salau and Prince Gabriel received 4th Class Staff of Office, respectively.
Occasion marks a significant
Speaking at the presentation of the staff of office, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Abubakar Abdullahi Bata, said the occasion marks a significant milestone in the lives of the Monarchs and their communities.
He said that the Staff of Office symbolises the authority and responsibility vested in them to lead and serve their people.
Uphold the values
The Commissioner charged the new traditional rulers to uphold the values of integrity, wisdom and justice by fostering unity and development in their domains.
Bata also advised the new monarchs to promote peace and understanding among their subjects, urging the people of the various communities to support the leaders and work together for the progress and prosperity of the State.
“I congratulate the new monarchs and their community on this momentous occasion, may your reign be marked by wisdom, peace and progress,” he said.
He gave assurance of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq would continue to work tirelessly with the royal fathers to ensure grassroots development as well as peace and stability of various communities.
In his goodwill message, the state chairman of APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi urged traditional rulers to avoid division among themselves and work for peace, progress and development of their various communities with a view to complementing the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on peace and stability of the State.
The presentation, which was held at the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftancy Affairs and Community Development, was witnessed by member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Gabriel, Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, Executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, traditional leaders of the communities, families and friends of the traditional rulers.
In their separate remarks, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf and Awelewa Olawale Gabriel thanked the Governor for making the selection and presentation of the staff of office to the new traditional rulers seamless.
Peace and harmony
The council Chairmen charged the new traditional rulers to ensure peace and harmony in their respective communities, adding that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancour.
They also advised the people of the various communities to work together with the new traditional rulers to achieve peaceful coexistence and overall development of their communities.
In their responses, the new traditional rulers thanked the government and people of their communities for the confidence in them.
While soliciting for support and cooperation of their subjects, promising to justify the people have in them and ensuring peace and stability of their respective communities.
Lateefah Ibrahim