The Nation Newspaper

Tag: monarchs

  • Monarchs back governorship candidate

    Monarchs back governorship candidate

    Traditional rulers from Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have said who they want to succeed Chief Theodore Orji in the Government House next year. It is former Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti who is running on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The traditional rulers made their position known during a meeting with the governorship candidate at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Eze Sunday Nwankwo of Umuaku, Isuochi.

    They said that what informed their decisions to support his candidature was simply because of the pedigree of Otti and their conviction that he would do better if elected the governor of the state.

    Some of the traditional rulers who spoke in turns, including the host, Eze Nwankwo lauded the former Diamond Bank MD for not only taking the financial institution to an enviable height but also using his former position to provide job opportunities for unemployed Abia graduates.

    The traditional rulers who lamented that the Abia State Government was yet to pay them their three months salary arrears pleaded with the APGA governorship candidate to treat them the way governors of their southeast; Enugu, Anambra amongst counterparts treat their traditional rulers when he emerges the governor of the state.

    In his response, Otti who thanked the traditional rulers for their warm reception promised that his administration was going to focus on urban and rural development programmes to spread dividend of democracy across the state.

    The APGA candidate who boasted of team of professionals among his campaign organisation said they were carefully chosen because of their backgrounds and antecedents, adding that he was optimistic that team was not going to disappoint the Abia electorates if voted in power.

    According to him, “We have been led in the past by people that don’t have vision. It is important for Abians to look for people that are self made and people with proven characters and records. We have carefully selected people that we know that will deliver this state. Through a careful study on Abia State by experts that we consulted, we have been able to identify some of the major problems facing the state which we shall tackle as soon as our administration comes on board”.

    The visitor who said he has so much respect for the traditional institution also assured them that his administration would take care of the traditional rulers needs even as he promised that development in all parts of the state would be simultaneously.

    In an interview, Otti described the visit as part of his campaign programmes to reach out to the people at the grassroots, feel their pulse and sell his manifestoes to the people and convincing them to vote for him and his team.

    He expressed the hope that this year’s election was going to be a lot better than the previous elections going by the promise coming from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s boss (Atahiru Jega) has made to ensure a free and fair polls.

  • Ilaje monarchs in leadership tussle

    The traditional council of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State has been engulfed in leadership crisis as some monarchs in the oil-rich communities have disowned the secretary of the council, Oba Obafemi Ogbaro.

    A statement signed by six of the monarchs said they were all members of the same council but denied that Ogbaro, who is also the Odoka of Obe-Ogbaro was their secretary.

    The signatories to the statement included the Olubo of Obenla, Oba Andrew Ikuesan, Alagho of Odo-nla, Oba Elias Ikuomola, the Olikan of Etikan, Oba Adedoyin Oyetakin, Odede of Igbo-Igunrin, Oba Philip Kalejaye, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and the Molokun of Atijere, Oba Adeoye Edema.

    Reacting to the development, Ogbaro said the argument of the monarchs was null and void as the issue of secretary of Ilaje Traditional Council has been concluded.

    He said the posts of chairman and secretary rotates between Ugbo and other kingdoms in Ilaje, adding that the Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Lawrence Omowole from Mahin land is currently the chairman.

    He said he was appointed by the two paramount rulers in Ilaje, the Amapetu and the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, who were never signatories to the statement.

    Ogbaro said Alagbo had served as the secretary of the council for three terms, adding that Olugbo nominated him during one of the meetings of the council.

    He, however, said the new chairman, the Amapetu decided to pick the secretary to work with him, adding that this would soon be settled.

    Ogbaro said: “The action of the monarchs does not hold water. The document that we send to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was signed by the Amapetu as chairman, Olugbo as a paramount ruler and myself as the secretary and the two paramount rulers never disclaimed me, the people are only aggrieved.

    “Why are they discrediting me for saying that the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and Mr. Governor are doing fine. It means some of them have been bought over to discredit me. We never held any meeting where it was agreed that I should be discredited. The document they are branding about doesn’t have any basis since the two paramount rulers did not sign.”

    However, the statement by the monarchs said whatever opinion expressed by Ogbaro on behalf of the council in any publication did not represent their views.

    The monarchs said: “The secretary of the Ilaje Traditional Council is His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Elias Ikuomola the Alagho of Odonla. The Chairman is His Imperial Majesty, Oba L. A. A. Omowole the Amapetu of Mahin.”

  • OPC boss, monarchs decry loss of African cultural heritage

    The need to promote, reposition and redeem the lost cultural values and African tradition which have almost gone into extinction has been stressed.

    Speaking at the grand finale of the 2014 edition of Oro Ebedi Festival that took place in Iseyin, Oyo State, the National Coordinator of Odua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, said it was unfortunate that many African communities have lost their cultural heritage.

    Adams, who is also the Chief Promoter of Olokun  Festival, described culture as a veritable tool for identifying people of different races.

    He said: “Culture remains a veritable means of identifying a people, and so, there is the need for planning and execution of cultural development projects around the country. Many nations have attained prominence and greatness by highlighting and projecting their cultures and history as the most single factor that binds and propel them as a people and nation, while some have showcased the link with their past to carve a niche and identify for themselves.”

    Reiterating his commitment to the promotion of African traditional values, languages, culture, moral and ethics, the OPC boss called on the people of the town and the Oyo State government to turn historical sites in Iseyin such as Ebedi Hill, Oluofi Hill and Atamafon Hill as tourist centres.

    He added that for African cultural heritage not to go into extinction, all efforts must be put in place to re-package, reposition and re-discover the richness of the tradition of the people and the race.

    In his speech, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Ologunebi, enjoined all Yoruba descendants to continue to promote the richness of the tradition of their fore fathers wherever they are.

    A renowned Yoruba Actor, Chief Lere Paimo in his own contribution, called on all stakeholders to sustain the cultural values and heritage of the Yoruba race.

  • I’ll expose corrupt monarchs after 2015 election, Akiolu insists

    I’ll expose corrupt monarchs after 2015 election, Akiolu insists

    The Oba of Lagos and the Chairman, the state Council of Obas, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has reiterated his promise to reveal the names of alleged corrupt traditional leaders in Yorubaland after the 2015 general elections.

    He said some of the traditional rulers were close friends of the late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, adding that was why they were unable to promote Yoruba’s agenda.

    Oba Rilwan, who was among the entourage of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to the palace of  Awujale of Ijebuland yesterday, insisted that some traditional rulers collected money from the former head of state.

    He exempted the Awujale from the alleged corrupt monarchs, saying some of the former military officers described him as no-nonsense Oba who would not collect bribes.

    The Lagos oba said as a commissioner of police during the regime of the late Abacha, he was among the delegates who gave money to the monarchs.

    He said: “There are some qualities I appreciate in Awujale, which include his frankness, courage and straight-forward-to -he point. Even if you are a thief, Awujale will tell it to your face. Because of time, I don’t want to bore you with different occasions he had demonstrated that.

    “Few months ago, I made a statement that after 2015 general elections, I am going to disclose many things and I still mean it. I was a serving police officer for 32 years and I was privileged to be at a meeting where some contacts were made with some people.

    “Those I was referring to were friends to the late Gen. Sani Abacha. I was an obedient servant of Abacha because I was commissioner of police as at that time. I was at a meeting where it was said that all these missions you are going to embark upon, leave the name of Awujale completely because he is anti-Abacha.

    “The person, who now said myself and Awujale are friends, when the time comes, we shall reveal the amount he took. I, Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, by the special grace of God, myself and my people gave the money to him and he took it. When the time comes, I will open-up and I am serious about it.

    “I am not afraid of anybody but I respect people. I have no regret of my friendship with Awujale.”

    Oba Akiolu, who encouraged the Emir of Kano to emulate the late emir, said Sanusi became a monarch as a result of efficacy of prayers, urging him to contribute to the development of his environment.

  • Monarchs seek 65-year age limit for politicians

    Monarchs seek 65-year age limit for politicians

    Traditional rulers in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have suggested that the age for all political aspirants be pegged at 65 years.

    They said anyone above the age should resign from politics and support younger aspirants.

    The monarchs were reacting to the senatorial ambition of Governor Martin Elechi and the governorship aspiration of his in-law, Senator Chris Nwankwo.

    They noted that there would be purposeful and credible leadership  when young persons become involved in politics.

    The monarchs decried the number of politicians  above 65 years and jostling to go to the National Assembly or some other positions.

    They regretted that the state had not had good representation in the last couple of years.

    Their spokesperson Igwe Gabriel Ngele, who is the traditional ruler of Oriuzor autonomous community in the local government, spoke when a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Chief Obinna Ogba, solicited their support for his senatorial ambition.

    The monarch urged old politicians to stay at home and advise young people.

    He said: “I advocate that politicians above the age of 65 years should resign from active politics, come back home and advise the younger ones who are more vibrant and have the zeal to make impact. The older politicians still live in the past; they are not in tune with the current realities of life. Their representation at the National Assembly has been a total failure.

    “What would a 70-year-old man be looking for at the National Assembly? The world is changing and younger persons are now assuming political positions. The future of the country lies in their hands. What we should do is to render fatherly advice to them and not to be jostling for positions with them. At my age, what would I still be looking for at the National Assembly when my children are already men with children?”

  • Imo monarchs battle over council chair

    Imo monarchs battle over council chair

    Scramble for political appointments is no longer restricted to politicians. Traditional rulers have joined the fight for juicy appointments. The case in Imo State amply proves this.

    Two royal fathers are locked in a fierce legal battle over the Chairmanship of the Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Council, a situation that has polarized and demystified the revered traditional institution in the state.

    The Contenders, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the Obi of Obinugu and Eze Agunwa Ohiri the Obi of Orodo have continued to lay claim to the exalted office.

    Trouble started between the two powerful traditional rulers when the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha sacked Eze Ilomuanya, as  the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council and appointed Eze Ohiri as the Chairman of the Council in 2011.

    It was gathered that the Governor truncated the tenure of Eze Ilomuanaya because he was a staunch supporter of his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and was alleged to have done everything possible to frustrate the Governor’s ambition.

    Although several courts, including the State High Court and the Court of Appeal, had reinstated the sacked monarch, the state government refused to obey the Court judgments.

    The crisis however took a more serious dimension when the embattled Eze Ilomuanya secured the approval of the Court to execute the Appeal Court judgment that had reinstated him as the legitimate Chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers until the expiration of his tenure.

    Based on the order, armed policemen ejected the incumbent Chairman of the Council, also known as ‘Eze Imo’, Eze Agunwa Ohiri from the Council’s secretariat and reinstated Ilomuanya in line with the Court judgment.

    The reinstated monarch immediately resumed office amidst tight security, while Ohiri and members of his staff relocated to another government facility from where he continued to run a parallel Council.

    Addressing Newsmen shortly after he resumed office with the few traditional rulers who were loyal to him,  Ilomuanya, said that his removal from office in the first place by the Governor was illegal and contravened the constitution of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, adding that his victory in the Court will restore the dignity of the traditional institution in the state.

    he said that, “in June 2011 shortly after the governor  assumed office, he asked me to convene a meeting of the traditional rulers as the chairman, which I did successfully but that same evening I was shocked to hear the Governor announce the dissolution of the Council.

    “The following morning I met him and appealed to him to rescind his action that if he didn’t want to walk with me, he should have asked me to resign but he did not heed my advice. It was then that I showed him our constitution, which clearly stipulates that the Chairman of the Council can only vacate office in the event of death or resignation”.

    He stated further that, “I am happy that justice has prevailed at last. What I did was to protect the traditional institution, we deserve some honour and respect as traditional rulers. But then I hold nothing against the Governor, I have forgiven him and I am willing to work with him”.

    However in a counter move that has drawn widespread criticism, the state government quickly withdrew Eze Ilomuanya’s Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition.

    In a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Anwuka, Ilomuanya who is also the Chairman of Southeast Traditional Rulers’ Council, ceases to be recognized as the traditional ruler of Obinugwu community.

    “In accordance with sections 11 and 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Autonomous Communities Law No 6 of 2006, His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has approved the withdrawal of the Certificates of Recognition and Staff of Office of Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya, the Traditional Ruler of Obinugu autonomouys community in Orlu Local Government Area of the State”, the letter read in part.

    But the state government had since debunked the insinuation that the dethronement of the embattled traditional ruler was connected to his reinstatement by the Court.

    Governor Okorocha explained that the dethronement of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya  and Eze Cosmas Onyeneke was in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly which recommended that they should be removed as traditional rulers.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the action was not personal matter but a discharge of his constitutional obligations under the Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters in Imo State Law No. 6 of 2006.

    He stated further that, “following series of serious petitions to the state House of Assembly against the traditional rulers by the indigenes of the affected communities, the state Assembly constituted a-five man committee which investigated the petitions and indicted the traditional rulers.

    “As a responsible government, we appreciate the fact that the two people involved are indigenes of the state. So we won’t go the whole hog to discuss the findings of the committee. But at the end of the investigations, the committee passed  resolutions 376 and 377 that the governor should without delay, remove the duo as traditional rulers”.

    According to the governor’s aide, “ but the government kept the resolutions of the Assembly in abeyance and did not dethrone the monarchs as recommended but before then Ilomuanya had stopped attending state functions in breach of section 14 of the Imo State Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities Law and had since three years ago relocated to Abuja where he functioned more as a politician.

    “It is also important to state categorically too that by the virtue of the removal of Ilomuanya as both the traditional ruler and state Council of Traditional Rulers, he can no longer parade himself as such because to do so tantamount to impersonation”.

    Meanwhile the embattled traditional rulers had defied the order of the state government, insisting that they remain monarchs of their respective communities.

    In a press statement signed by Eze Ilomuanya, who is also the Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers, the announcement  by  the Imo state Government purporting to have withdrawn his certificate of recognition as the Monarch of Obinugwu as ridiculous and laughable.

    The statement read, “barely few hours after my resumption of duties,the Secretary to the Imo state Government, Mr Anthony Anwukah, issued a contemptuous press release purportedly conveying Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Withdrawal of my Certificate of Recognition as a traditional ruler without any reason at all. My offence was that I obeyed court judgements and orders in a state where disobedience to court orders is glorified.

  • Our republic, of monarchs?

    Our republic, of monarchs?

    Why should members of the ruling party at the centre or any other party for that matter be upset about who is chosen as emir in Kano? 

    Nigeria is a country where contradictions thrive or triumph, without anyone needing to be seen to do anything untoward. Our country carries the nomenclature of a federal republic. Yet, its federating units can make laws without the power to enforce them. This contradiction is justified by those in charge of statecraft on the ground that this is the only way to keep the multiethnic country’s unity indissoluble. Some two decades ago, the country was called a secular republic until its citizens woke up one day to find out that its military dictator had registered it in the Organisation of Islamic States (OIC). It is now being characterised as a multi-religious country even though it is still officially a member of OIC and a section of the country is killing to force other religions to submit to Sharia. Most recent in our rulers’ bizarre actions is the increased attention being given and sought for monarchs of various names: Emirs, Obas, Obis, Obongs, etc. A few days ago, the death of the former Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, a man of peace and of enviable inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations during his reign, has been made to increase the country’s insecurity by republican rulers scheming to take advantage of the trappings of monarchy.

    As if the insecurity created by Boko Haram and its insistence that Nigeria must cease to be a secular state but a theocracy run by Islamic clerics functioning as kings or emirs is not enough, several political rulers seem preoccupied with adding another source of insecurity to the one that the international community believes has become too enormous for the country’s security forces to manage. As if the seizure of over 200 innocent schoolgirls is not enough to make politicians of all stripes reflect about the incapacity of the proverbial African Big Men to govern properly in a modern democratic context, those in charge of governance choose to be entangled with raising the adrenalin level of the entire country by turning what should have been an entirely local affair of Kano city into a nation-wide drama of the absurd: death of an emir; nomination of a successor; threats to arrest the emir designate before investiture; threats by street urchins to vandalize the emir’s palace; virtual relocation or incarceration of the new emir in the governor’s guest house, etc.

    If Nigeria were truly a republic, no mention would have been made in the public sphere of any manner of monarchy— of the turban popular in Northern Nigeria or of the beaded hats popular in Southern Nigeria. If Nigeria were really a republic, no head of state would call for special roles for traditional rulers in constitutional governance. If delegates at the ongoing national conference believe that Nigeria is a republic, they would not countenance the section of the items handed to them from the presidency for consideration with respect to carving a role for traditional rulers in government and in the constitution. It is clear that everybody that has a role to play in governance believes that the constitution he or she has sworn to uphold is full of lies that must be nurtured, without appearing to do so.

    How else is any lay observer of public affairs to respond to reports that the riots in Kano since the succession of Ado Bayero by Lamido Sanusi— both of the Ibrahim Dabo ruling family in Kano for centuries— are reasons for heated rhetorical fight between rival political parties? Why should members of the ruling party at the centre or any other party for that matter be upset about who is chosen as emir in Kano? Aren’t the four kingmakers required to submit the final list of nominees to the governor of the state in which Kano is situated? Did the kingmakers disagree with the announcement of Lamido Sanusi when the governor announced his name as the new Emir of Kano?  On whose behalf are the urchins on the streets demonstrating and what are they demonstrating against? Do these protesters no longer believe in the age-old selection process? If they do not, do they then have a right to expect that their preferred candidate would be nominated at the end of a process they do not find credible? What has been happening in Kano in the last few days illustrates that once a leadership group harbours and nurtures irreconcilable contradictions in the constitution and governance process of their country, citizens, particularly those with little education and the type that are easily indoctrinated and recruited to serve as suicide bombers are easy targets to be recruited to protest against the choice of kingmakers.

    Should it matter if Lamido Sanusi were sympathetic to APC or PDP before his nomination as emir? Is Sanusi as emir not obligated to serve (and appear to do so) as emir to all the people of Kano, regardless of their political affiliations? Is there any evidence that Ado Bayero was a member of any of the political parties before he died? Is the son of Ado Bayero who some political leaders are believed to prefer and had congratulated before announcement of the final nominee a member of PDP?  If he were, could the young Bayero have sustained that membership after ascending to the throne of his father? Do emirs have power to change the pattern of votes or the results of votes cast for political parties? Why is it important in this country of ours that the emir of Kano is sympathetic to APC or PDP if elections are guaranteed to be free and fair, and devoid of any form of intimidation by any branch of the security forces? In over sixty years that I had been witnessing elections in the country, there had been no report of an emir or oba going to the polls to vote for any candidate. So, what is the basis of the do-or-die attitude to whomever the people of Kano choose to be their emir?

    If traditional rulers are so influential to the extent that citizens cannot vote rationally once they are influenced by traditional rulers in their vicinity, then the time is ripe for the country to review its political structure and form of government. In the days of Lugardian Indirect Rule, traditional rulers in the Northern and Western Regions were powerful, but politicians decided not to allow the British to hand over the regions or the entire country to traditional rulers. This was why the country opted for constitutional governance and later for republican status.

    Every day, things happen in our country to suggest that those who rule us are confused people. In one breadth, they want to run a modern republican state. In another, they want to acquire traditional titles to give them the appearance of having some pedigree in traditional rulership. Even in sections of the country that the colonial masters had to create paramount chiefs for lack of traditional rulers, politicians are in the habit of creating titles that entitle them to the regalia of traditional rulers.

    In the meantime, the president should further the spirit of unity of purpose he evinced on June 12 to reprimand members of his party who sent congratulatory messages prematurely to the young Bayero. Such party fanatics have embarrassed the president and knowingly or unknowingly added to the country’s security challenges. The security problem that is being brewed in Kano over a function consigned to the Residual list in our pre-republican days shows that the lust for power to exploit the people by our post-colonial politicians is not any different from what made Frederick Lugard introduce the Indirect Rule in Nigeria. Serious-minded citizens need to let our political rulers know they are already too frustrated after three or more years of the violence from Boko Haram to be made to serve as cannon fodder in a fight between pro-monarchy political groups that should have no space in a modern republic.

  • Monarchs praise Saraki, Ahmed

    Traditional rulers under the aegis of Ilorin Emirate Magajis/Alanguas Forum (IEMAF) yesterday pledged their loyalty to the political leadership of Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki.

    The chiefs also warned those they described as “alien politicians” not to destabilise the peaceful and harmonious relationship amongst residents.

    They said their declaration of support for the scion of the famous Saraki political dynasty became necessary in view of the unfolding political development in the country.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, the monarchs said Saraki’s contributions to the state’s development in the past one decade qualified him to be the state’s political leader.

    Ilorin Emirate is made up of Ilorin East, West, South, Asa and Moro local government areas.

    The statement reads: “We, the undersigned traditional chiefs appointed by the Emir of Ilorin, have unanimously resolved to support the political leadership of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senator Bukola Saraki.

    “Our decision is based purely on their unequal track records of unprecedented achievements in the state and beyond.

    “We, therefore, pledge our continued unalloyed support and loyalty for their present political mission, which we considered justifiable.”

  • Monarchs pledge commitment to immunisation

    Monarchs pledge commitment to immunisation

    Some traditional leaders in Kaduna State have promised to adopt various means, including the use of town criers and religious leaders, to ensure the success of ongoing vaccination against meningitis.

    The District Head of Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area,Alhaji Gambo Yero gave the pledge in an interview with journalists in Kaduna.

    He noted that the local chiefs,had in the past made valuable contributions in mobilising people for various immunisation exercises, assuring that they would not waver in their support.

    Yero said religious leaders had been actively involved in sensitising and mobilising their followers to avail themselves for immunisation, adding that their support was vital to the successful conduct of the exercise.

    “Their messages are well accepted at the grassroots, so we will work with them for the success of this vaccination.”

    Yero said that town criers would also be used to send out vital messages to people throughout the 12-day exercise.

    The district head pledged to strictly monitor the conduct of the immunisation against meningitis, in order to provide timely intervention where necessary.

    He praised the government for facilitating the health programme, noting that it would ensure that the state was free from all killer diseases.

    Also, Mr Joe Camban, the District Head of Ma’aro, said local chiefs in the area had enlightened the residents on the importance of the exercise.

    He expressed satisfaction with the programme and promised to continue the campaign to ensure its success.

     

  • Govt cars for Ekiti monarchs

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged monarchs to resolve communal and chieftaincy disputes through alternative methods.

    Fayemi spoke yesterday at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the presentation of 123 cars to monarchs in the state.

    The vehicles included 101 Ford cars, 21 Ford Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), one Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Hilux van for the Office of the Chairman of the Council of Obas.

    The event was attended by Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu; House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Adewale Omirin; Secretary to the State Government Ganiyu Owolabi; Chief of Staff to the Governor Yemi Adaramodu and top government officials.

    All traditional rulers in the state were present.

    The governor said it was honourable for monarchs to resolve disputes through dialogue before parties resort to litigation.

    He said litigation should only be explored when other means have failed.

    Fayemi said the car gifts were to show respect for the traditional institution.

    He said the introduction of a special health care programme for monarchs, tagged: “Ilera Laafin”, was an affirmation of his administration’s concern about their welfare.

    The governor said the newly reconstituted State Council of Traditional Rulers comprises 56 members and is chaired by the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Idowu Babalola.

    He said the council has the power to “advise the government on chieftaincy matters and issues of public interest”.

    Fayemi said: “The tenure of the new council, which began on August 1, and which is being inaugurated today, is for two years. I emphasise that membership of the council is based on institutions and not the individuals holding the titles.”

    Pledging his loyalty to the governor, Oba Babalola urged the people to cooperate with Fayemi to improve Ekiti.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs Chief Aderemi Ajayi said: “I thank God for the crop of talented royal fathers we have in this state, who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour. This has manifested in their approach to issues, robust debates and the quality of advice they give to government.”