administration’s commitment to the provision of adequate welfare
packages for the traditional institution to motivate them towards
entrenching the desired development at the grassroots.
The Governor who stated this at the Third Statutory Meetings of the Ogun
State Council of Obas, held at Conference Hall, Obas’ Complex,
Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said, Obas, as custodians of tradition and customs
has a vital role to play in government, and that their welfare should
be of paramount and sacrosanct.
Abiodun added that his government would be fair, equitable and inclusive
in the spread of developmental projects in all the three senatorial
districts of the State, noting that some of the projects have been
completed while some are at different completion stages, which would
soon be commissioned.
“Our decision would be fair, equitable, inclusive and in accordance with
the rule of law as we spread the developmental projects in all the three
districts of the State, no constituency in this State will not benefit
from the developmental stride of this administration, it is our
collective responsibility to develop the State, in order to attract more
investors,” Abiodun said.
He solicited for the traditional ruler’s support for the realization of
various laudable and people-oriented programmes embarked upon across the
nooks and crannies of the State, calling for their cooperation in
curbing the spread of the second wave of Covid-19 in the State through
the admonition of their subjects to always observe the Covid-19
protocols by wearing of nose mask and uses of hand sanitizers.
Abiodun admonished the Monarchs to be more accessible and receptive to
their people, and intensifying efforts on activities that could further
enhance peaceful co-existence within and around the State, saying that
their cooperation with the Government would enhance the spread of the
dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the State.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, disclosed that efforts are
underway to repeal the existing Ogun State Council of Obas Law, 2004 for
a more comprehensive one that would reform and further dignify the
traditional institution in the State.
He said the review became expedient and imperative in order to address
the incessant litigations on chieftaincy matters in the State, noting
that adherence to due process in the installation of Obas and promotion
of Stools, burial rites, regulation of activities of Kingmakers as well
as the need for the creation of a Chieftaincy Tribunal would soon to
fore.
Hon. Afuape hinted that inputs of stakeholders, including the Ministry
of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs towards the formation of an
improved Council of Obas Law were being collated by the Ogun State House
of Assembly for prompt passage and endorsement by the Governor, once it
has been perfected and would be made known to the general publics.
He added that the Ministry this year, planned to develop archival
division with e-library complement to allow the Ministry to update
information on all royal fathers and provide same on the information
superhighway as well as ensure prompt dissemination and seamless access
to stored facts and data, particularly such that relates to culture,
tradition and heritage whenever and wherever required by individuals,
government, communities and the traditional institutions as well.
The Chairman of the Council, The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of
Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, represented by the Akarigbo and Paramount
Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi in his address appreciated the
Government for its usual support for the traditional council, assuring
their unalloyed support in the overall development of the State at
large.