Oyo State Aims to Boost Traditional Rulers’ Efficiency

The Oyo State Government has expressed its readiness to review and enhance the efficiency of traditional rulers in the state by adopting recommendations and suggestions made by the state Council of Obas.

The government gave the assurance, on Friday, during a meeting with traditional rulers from the five zones of the state, namely: Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun, Oyo and Ibarapa, which held at the House of Chiefs, House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde who was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, said the government is bothered about the redundant nature of the Council for over a decade, noting that since the Council of Obas law was reviewed and gazetted by the late Adebayo Alao-Akala government in 2011, not much has been done by the Council, as it has remained rocked by leadership crisis.

Potentials of the monarchs

He stated that the current administration understands the importance of harnessing the potentials of the monarchs as important stakeholders in the development of the state.

Speaking shortly after a session held behind closed doors with the traditional rulers, Governor Makinde said the government is open to a review and reconstitution of the Council to be more inclusive and align with present situation for proper functioning and effectiveness.

He noted that traditional rulers were co-partners in the development process, explaining their roles as the custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of the state.

He said since the amendment act that backed the establishment of the Council was used during Christopher Alao-Akala’s government, the governor said he has decided to enhance the functionality of the Council again.

Makinde said: “We have to engage the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State. Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State. Therefore, government, with a view to reconstitute the Council, calls for ideas, suggestions and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the Council and promote developement in Oyo State.”

He disclosed that the government has recieved from the five geopolitical zones of the state, very profound and useful observations and suggestions that will make government do necessary amendments to the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.

“This is our discussion until proper reports are made. Those suggestions from our Kabiyesis will be treated with confidentiality by the government of Oyo State until we are able to come up with agreed resolutions by both the royal fathers and government of Oyo State. As we are now, those suggestions and recommendations remains as they are,” the governor concluded. 

Mutual understanding

In his address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the traditional rulers to seek common ground and embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding in the effort to reconstitute the Council.

He noted that it would take collaborative efforts of the state government and the Council to stamp out the menaces of land grabbing, kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining that have been bedeviling the society.

Speaking with reporters, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akintunde Olajide, said the lawmakers were ready to work with the executive arm of government for the needed legislative framework to restore life and enhance the efficiency of the Council of Obas.

Top government funtionaries at the meeting were: Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Abiodun Aikomo; Executive Assistant (Security) to the Governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd); and Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akintunde Olajide, among others.

Some of the monarchs in attendance include: the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Laoye; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Rafiu Oyebola; Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi; Olugbon of Ile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; and Onpetu of Ijero, Oba Sunday Oyediran, among others.

Lateefah Ibrahim