The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo monarchs

  • Ondo monarchs back President

    Traditional rulers in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State have declared their support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The chairman of the area’s Council of Obas, the Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, Ilufemiloye, spoke yesterday in Igbara-Oke.

    The occasion was the visit of the Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Public Utilities, Tunji Light Ariyomo, to the monarch.

    This followed the recent release of $5 million to the state government for water project.

    Ariyomo was accompanied by Tobi Ogunleye, the Special Adviser (SA) on Transport.

    Oba Agbede said the local government was benefiting immensely from the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state through various projects.

    On the Igbara-Oke water dam, which the governor’s aide briefed him about, the monarch expressed his appreciation to Akeredolu.

    He noted that at the completion of the project, several jobs would be provided for his people.

    Ariyomo informed the monarch that “Governor Akeredolu insisted that the state water corporation must evolve modalities to ensure that adjoining communities, such as Igbaraoke, Ilara, Ipogun, Ibuji, Ijare and Irese must benefit from the water project”.

    Oba Agbede said: “Wherever I go, people do call me APC supporter. There’s nothing I can do about that because the interest of my people is the primary reason I am on the throne. This project is a laudable one. It is going to rejuvenate our economy and create jobs. It will enhance agriculture and agric-business. Many industries will spring up. We thank Governor Akeredoku-led administration. This project shall be successful, by the power of God.”

    The monarch urged residents of the local government to go out en masse and vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    His reasons: they have a lot of developmental benefits to gain from the government.

    Corroborating Oba Agbede’s position, the Onibuji of Ibuji, Oba Folagbade Ojo, stated that thousands of sons and daughters of the local government would be gainfully employed, besides numerous artisans who would be engaged from the outset of the project.

     

     

  • Ondo monarchs to politicians: Don’t be too desperate for power

    Traditional rulers in Ondo State, under the aegis of ”De 130 Krowns Club Obas”, have cautioned political class to shun desperation in their political adventure.

    The Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Kolapo Adegbite-Adedoyin, who is the new president of the monarchs’ group, spoke at the annual general meeting hosted by Ilaje royal fathers held at the palace of Odede of Igboegunrin, Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye, in Ilaje Local Government Area.

    Oba Adegbite-Adedoyin said, “If you truly want to serve the people, you don’t need to be desperate or induce voters with money, our democracy must be jealously protected from desperate politicians.”

    The royal father reminded the state and federal governments on the need to rehabilitate roads in Akoko/Owo axis and Akure-Ikere Ekiti road, without further delay to tackle insecurity and loss of lives and properties of the citizenry.

    Owa-Ale lamented that roads such as Owo-Ikare-Okeagbe road, Ikare-Ajowa road, Owo-Ipele-Isua-Akunu, Akure-Itaogbolu-Iju-Ekiti road and other arterial roads in the state have become impassable.

    He, however, lauded the efforts of the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to improve the state particularly in areas of security, infrastructure and education.

     

  • Ondo monarchs urged to educate subjects on Lassa fever

    The Ondo State government at the weekend urged traditional rulers to enlighten their subjects on the need to prevent the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

    Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi spoke when he visited to the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, at his palace during the monthly environmental sanitation.

    A statement by the Press Officer in the Deputy Governor’s office, Sunday Ajibola, quoted Ajayi as saying royal fathers are closer to the people than anyone else.

    Ajayi said: “I have come with a mandate from Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The government needs your support to enlighten and make the people aware of the dangers in unhygienic ways of life.

    “This way of life is the cause of the deadly Lassa fever. We need to let farmers and food sellers know the danger inherent in drying foodstuffs, such as garri, in the open field or space.

    “Rats get attracted to these places to eat the raw food items and drop their wastes on the food. We are appealing to our royal fathers to use their influence and reach to get across to our people that this preventable spread of Lassa fever does not get here.”

    The deputy governor hailed Ondo residents for complying with the monthly sanitation and making their environment neat.

    Oba Kiladejo promised to use the four radio stations in the community to raise awareness on Lassa fever.

    He said: “Aside the conventional media, I will bring the matter up at our weekly meetings, involving myself, the baale’s, the olojas, the high chiefs and other subjects.”

    Ajayi was accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Funso Esan and the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Mrs Margret Atere.

    The deputy governor also visited Aponmu, where he noted that the residents did not comply with the sanitation.

    He urged the people to take the hygiene of their environment serious.

    Ajayi assured the people that their immediate needs would get government attention, especially the roads.

    On the activities of herdsmen in the area, the deputy governor said the government had set up a committee to examine the causes of conflict between farmers and herdsmen with the aim of proffering lasting solutions.

    He urged them to maintain a cordial relationship with one another, as law-abiding citizens, adding that the state should not be turned into a battle field.

  • Lassa fever: Ondo monarchs urged on mobilization

    Lassa fever: Ondo monarchs urged on mobilization

    Following reported cases of lassa fever in Ondo state which claimed five lives, the Co-ordinator of Primary Health Care(PHC) in Akoko Northwest local government area, Dr Abdulazees Adewale has urged traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to join hands with health commitees in the area.

    This is to curb the spread of the deadly disease particularly in the rural communities.

    Adewale urged the people to always embark on personal hygiene and make their environment clean.

    He commended the state government particularly Commisioner for Health, Dr Adegbenro for his action since the outbreak of lassa fever in the state.

    Responding, the Oloyin of Oyin Akoko, Oba Olusola Bamisile thanked the health team for their efforts in educating the rural comunities.

     

  • ‘Ondo Monarchs are suffering in silence’

    ‘Ondo Monarchs are suffering in silence’

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been urged to treat traditional rulers in the state with dignity they deserved during his present administration.

    The Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun noted that monarchs as custodians of culture and tradition should be accorded recognition and proper welfare.

    Oba Olanipekun,who is the Chairman, Akoko Northwest Local Government Traditional Council, described the eight years of the last administration as ‘not too rosy’ for traditional rulers in the state.

    According to him, monarchs in the state were owed eight-month stipends, noting that the situation became more precarious when communities are no more paying homages.

    He lamented that they were suffering in silence, but could not go on strike like civil servants and other professional bodies.

    Speaking to our correspondent, the monarch said; “we cannot be going cap in hands to our wealthy subjects or politicians when we are no beggars. That is the reason while it is imperative for the state and local governments to provide special welfare package for the royal fathers.

    Oba Olanipekun cited the case of his colleague, the Olojo of Ojo,Oba Micheal Adewale who allegedly collapsed at the swearing in ceremony of Governor Akeredolu.

    He stressed that if not for the timely intervention of Akoko Northwest local government chairman, Sola Aladetimhin, who rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owo,the situation would have been disastrous.

    The Arigidi Akoko monarch said four other traditional rulers in the local government are also sick without access to health facilities because of poverty.

    Zaki urged Akeredolu to support local government autonomy to make the local councils viable, while the statutory five percent from federal allocation should be given to traditional rulers for their upkeep.

    He also pleaded with the Governor to have regular interactive sessions with royal fathers to clear vital issues that would ginger development in the state.

    The traditional ruler advocated for spliting of Akoko Northwest local government with 27 Monarchs into three local government for effective administration.

    Oba Olanipekun noted that majority of them were finding it difficult to maintain their palaces and vehicles because of the current recession in the country.