Oyebanji Installs youngest Traditional Ruler, Pledges Continued Respect for Royalty, Culture
….join me to achieve my vision, young monarch begs subjects
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, installed Oba Adewole Oluwatosin Adewale as the new Owa of Ayegbaju in Oye Local Government Area, promising not to impose traditional ruler on any community to avert internal crisis that could abrade and demean the respect being accorded royalty, culture and tradition.
In view of the current bedlams in some towns over recurrent cases of banditry , kidnappings and killings, Oyebanji promised to collaborate with traditional rulers to smash criminal syndicates terrorising a section of Ekiti towns.
The governor, who spoke while presenting Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the 32-year old Oba Adewole, urged the monarch to work assiduously to unite his people and establish a cordial relationship with government to spike development in the community.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, disclosed that the process leading to the emergence of the monarch was transparent and bereft of underhand tactics that could bring disrespect to traditional institution.
For his reign to be indelible and attract wide applause, Oyebanji urged the monarch to pursue his development plans by working with elites and other indigenes to entrench peace and unity in the town.
“Today, the throne of the Owa of Ayegbaju Ekiti receives a ruler whose emergence followed the clear voice of tradition and the calm acceptance of the people. The clarity of the divination exercise and the absence of contention affirm that this process was guided by order and collective conviction.
“Let it be clearly stated that in this selection, there are no winners and no losers. What we see here is unity, acceptance, and trust in a process that respected both culture and law.
“This is a testament that this administration’s approach to chieftaincy matters has been consistent: non-interference, respect for declarations, and partnership with communities.
“Kabiyesi, you will live long more than your forebears. May wisdom and favour attend your steps as you sit on the throne of your fore-fathers. May your reign bring peace, progress, and honour to Ayegbaju Ekiti and to Ekiti State as a whole”.
Speaking at the occasion, the commissioner for chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Hon. Ojo Olaiya Atibioke, said the stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Solomon Adeloye on 15th February, 2024, after which the selection processes were undertaken through ifa consultation and eventual emergence of the new monarch.
Atibioke said under Oyebanji’s leadership, tradition and culture have been elevated to high pedestal without disrespect and undue interference in installation of Obas, appealing to his subjects to rally round the traditional ruler and make his reign positively impactful in the annals of history of the town.
Similarly, the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado, commended Governor Oyebanji for handling all the selection and installation processes in the state without rancour and crisis, this, he added manifested in the just concluded June 20 governorship poll adjudged as the most peaceful in the history of the country.
Oba Adu Alagbado appealed to Ayegbaju people to support, respect , value and unite behind the monarch for his reign to be memorable and attract monumental development that will launch the town to enviable height in Ekiti state.
“Our traditions and customs should not spoil during our own time. Don’t let us spoil them. I appeal to you, respect your traditional ruler, value him and support him. I thank God that I heard you are united. I want you to continue now that you have a king in place . God will help you”.
The Chairman, Oye Local Government, Princess Clara Bamisile, showered encomiums on the town for embracing peace during the transition and selection seasons, reminding that the town can only grow and progress when it is rancour free and solidly united as a people .
Addressing the people at the traditional ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, described the enthronement of the new Owa as representing a great respect for culture and tradition, saying Ayegbaju remains an ambience and home to over 7,000 students of his institution
Prof Ogunwole, who described the town as a flourishing cradle of culture, tradition and scholarship, considering the prestigious height its indigenes had attained in education, urged the monarch to perceive the opportunity as a call to service, which places an onerous responsibility on him to serve the people faithfully and sacrificially.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Adewole appreciated Governor Oyebanji and the kingmakers for midwifing a selection process bereft of imposition and rancour, saying this will help to unite his kingdom and make it develop at a speedy rate.
Oba Adewole promised to serve his people zealously and sacrificially, while calling on government to favour his community through more infrastructures provision and allotment of more political appointments to the town.
“I shall serve with humility and give all a sense of belonging. I can’t do it alone. Please join me and take this town to a higher level we are all expecting and working towards. God will bless all of us”.