Jubilation as Oyebanji Installs Monarch for Oke Ako After 25 yrs of Vacancy
….monarch pledges to speed up recovery initiatives
There was wild excitement on Monday, as Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji installed Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni, as the Owa of Oke- Ako, in Ikole Local Government Area, after 25 years of vacancy, promising to put machinery in motion to always fast track enthronement of traditional rulers in towns where there are vacancies .
Oyebanji said the long drawn legal battles that accompanied the selection process caused a major impediment that fettered government’s hands from exercising the statutory and legal procedures that could speed up enthronement of a new traditional ruler, after the demise of Oba Omotayo Jackson Ogunbiyi, from Oke Idi Osan Ruling House, on December 10, 2000.
Addressing the jubilant indigenes of the town at the presentation of staff of Office and instrument of appointment to the new monarch, who is from Oke Aafin Royal Dynasty, Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, congratulated the monarch and the town for overcoming the difficulties witnessed during the interregnum to achieving collective victory in the end.
Warning against unwarranted internal strife and acrimony in the town over the scramble for the stool, Governor Oyebanji appealed to other contestants to partner with the new traditional ruler to rev up the pedal of unity and development, as well as create a vista of recognition for Oke- Ako among the comity of towns in Ekiti.
Oyebanji showered encomiums on the Regent who presided over the community for over 25 years, Princess Tinuade Adebayo and the entire community, for always identifying with progressive leadership , urging them to bring such spirit to bare in working with the new monarch to attract development to Oke Ako.
“I want to congratulate all of you today on this glorious moment. This, to us, is victory at last. You didn’t have a traditional ruler for over 25 years, but today, you are celebrating one after overcoming all past challenges.
“Please, I want you to look at the back, take stock and look for way to make up for the lost grounds. The best way for you to do this is by allowing peace, unity and love. No town can develop without these.
“I want you to work with Kabiyesi to restore the glory of Oke Ako. With all of you working together as a team, this town will become prosperous, progressive and successful. Kindly do all within your powers to cooperate with him for the benefit of all of you”.
Lauding the process that threw up the new monarch, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Atibioke, said it was undertaken with full fidelity to the state Chiefs Law, and in compliance with the culture, customs and traditions of Oke Ako town.
Atibioke disclosed that four candidates vied for the coveted position out of which the new monarch was selected through Ifa divination and subsequent voting by the kingmakers in a manner bereft of manipulation, imposition and rancour.
“Today belongs not only to the new Oba, but to all the indigenes of Oke Ako. A vacant throne creates a gap in the life of a community. A filled throne create opportunities. The opportunity before Oke Ako now is to put years of uncertainty behind it, and build a future in which the palace becomes the centre of unity and development”.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni, commended the state government, kingmakers and royal families for eventually acceding to the request to instal a new monarch after the interregnum, promising to work hard and justify the confidence reposed in him.
Saluting the governor for keeping faith with the installation and made it a priority, Oba Oni, said: “I must acknowledge you specifically. What this government did for this community by resolving a matter that had lingered for over 25 years was impressive.
“The governor did this through due process , patience, and genuine commitment to doing what was right for Oke- Ako community. We are grateful. I am personally grateful”.
The monarch assured that he will work assiduously to unite and develop the community, by partnering with all stakeholders, regardless of past grievances to lift the town out of doldrums to a phase of economic, political and social prosperity.
Oba Oni appealed to well meaning indigenes of the town to collaborate with him to achieve his mission and vision of making Oke Ako a microcosm of peace, development, love and unity, saying no community can develop under the atmosphere of rancour and social unrest.
“From this day, I am pleading to every Oke Ako , regardless of which family you come from , regardless of which side of any past dispute you stood in, regardless of what happened before, to make a decision that we must forge ahead in unity. Whatever divided us in the past must be left behind. We don’t have the luxury of carrying old grievances into a new era.
“To our sons and daughters in Lagos, Abuja, London , United States of America and across the globe, we need you to partner us, not just your money, but showing that sense of belonging in whatever we do. We need your ideas, skills, connections and presence to make us great”.