By: Adeboye Ado

Five Chieftaincy Stools in Ese -Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, that were recently upgraded to Obaship status following the recommendation of the Ajama Commssion of Inquiry, have been presented Instruments of Appointment and Staffs of Office.

Abooluwa Famakinwa, Head, Media and Publicity Unit, Min. Of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said this in a statement on Friday.

As a lasting solution to disputes, agitations and insecurity, the Ondo State government has recognised and upgraded 62 Chieftaincy stools to Obaship status among which are; the Ogidi Ogidigba, Amananawei of Biagbini, the Amananawei of Bolowou, Iginabou of Ajapa and Amananawei of Ukpe.

At the Official Presentation of Instument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the Ogidi of Ogidigba, Amanawei of Biagbini, Amananawei of Bolowou, Iginabou of Ajapa and Amananawei of Ukpe in the different communities in Ese – Odo Local Government Areas, the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON said in recognition of peace as an essential ingredient of Socio – Economic development, the State Government decided to implement the recommendation of the Justice Chris Ajama Commission of inquiry into Chietaincy Matters.

In his words, the immediate past administration inaugurated the Justice C.E.T Ajama judicial commission of inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in 2015, to look into some deserving Chieftaincies and make recommentions to government on them but could not implement the recommendation of the Commission before its expiration in 2017.

The present Administration according to him, constituted a Committee to review the recommendation of the Ajama commission and prepare a White Paper on it.

The result of the approval by the Exco is the presentation of Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the benefiting communities.

The Governor congratulated the communities for being beneficiaries of Government’s kind gestures and for realising their age -long aspiration and desire to have a recognised King to superintend over the affairs of their communities.

While congratulating the Monarchs for being the pioneer Kings and direct beneficiaries of this largesse, Akeredolu urged them to use the opportunity given them to strengthen the peace in their domains and the State in general.

He warned that his government will not tolerate any domineering expansionist tendency that could jeopardize the existing peace in the State.

Every Oba, in his words should refrain from appointing or installing minor Chiefs outside his jurisdiction, particularly in disputed areas.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro represented the Governor at Ogidigba and Biagbini where he presented the Instruments of Appointment and Staff of Office to Pere Marrison Titibor, the Ogidi of Ogidigba and Pere Moses Ugoji, the Amanawei of Biagbini.

At Ukpe and Ajapa, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka represented the Governor, where he presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to Pere Claudius Itegh, the Amananawie of Ukpe and Pere Godwin Aboyewa, the Iginabou of Ajapa.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Wunmi Ilawole, represented the Governor at Bolowou, where she presented the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to Pere Judge Jemine, the Amananawei of Bolowou.

In her Address to the occasions, the Ese – Odo Local Government Chairman, Hon Folawe Sipasi – Aluko thanked the Governor on behalf of the people of her Local Government, for response to the yearnings and aspirations of the people and for putting smiles on the faces of the people by the elevation of Baales to Obaship Status.

Sipasi – Aluko who said the approval came after a long period of agitation, enjioined the kings to see it as a rare priviledge and join hands with the government to bring the desired develoment to their communities.

Performing the Coronation which took place in all the communities before the presentation of the Instruments of Appointment and Staff of Office, the Agadagba of Arogbo Ibe, his Imperial Majesty, Pere (Bar) Doubra Zaccheaus Egbunu, Opukutu III , prayed Egbesu, the traditional Deity, to protect and guide the Kings, as well as enable them to work for the good of their communities.

The Agadagba placed on record the gratitude of the entire Arogbo kingdom to the Governor and his team for the great honour done them in upgrading of seven stool in the kingdom to Obaship status, while asking for more of government presence and largesse.

The Oba pledged the unalloyed support of the entire Arogbo kingdom for the government and all it stands for.

In the responses of the Peres, they are appreciative and see it as a great and rare privilege , while promising to support and cooperate with the Government.

Among eminent sons and daughters of these kingdoms that graced the occasion are ; Senior high Chief Bibopere Ajube, the Beleuowei of Arogbo Kingdom, popularly called Shoot at Sight, High Chief Molos, and Prophet Jide Ekpo, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance.

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