Oyebanji Salutes Monarchs for Saving Ekiti’s Culture, Traditions, From Extinction
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the traditional rulers that they will continue to earn his respect owing to their enormous contributions and passion for the uplift of culture, customs and traditions of Ekiti citizens.
Oyebanji said the traditional rulers, have not disappointed him as custodians of the cultures of the people, describing this as a veritable way of maintaining and sustaining the symbols of identities, unity and oneness among Ekiti indigenous citizens.
The governor gave the commendations in Ijero Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area, on Monday, during the 2025 Edition of the Ojude Oba Festival.
Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, described celebration of cultural festivals, as a potent way to foster unity among the people and promote Ekiti’s homogeneity that has garnered respect nationally and globally.
“You all know that our dear Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, is a lover of culture and traditions. A man who has demonstrated love for royalty by offering respect to our traditional rulers and by not interfering with emergence of monarch in any community.
“This government is happy with our traditional rulers for not allowing our culture, customs and traditions to perish. They always do this by yearly celebration of our cultural festivals across all the 140 towns. Your singular effort have helped in lifting our culture. You deserve kudos for this”.
Oyebanji said his government will continue to partner all the monarchs to fastrack development at the grassroots, by bringing infrastructures that can add values, promote security and stability of the state.
He promised to always join in celebration of cultural festivals that can enhance Ekiti’s collective identity.
“You could all attest to the fact that the relative peace being enjoyed in Ekiti State was as as a result of partnership between the government and royal fathers of all the communities. I want to appeal to you to continue to maintain this mutually beneficial love”.
To accelerate development among rural dwellers, Oyebanji appealed to all the indigenes of Ijero Ekiti to join the monarch in moving the town to a higher pedestal in terms of love, unity, stability, and peace.
Outlining the significance of the Ojude Oba cultural fiesta, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, described the celebration as a way of celebrating Ijero people and the cord of unity that bonds them together.
The First Class Traditional Ruler charged all the monarchs to rally their people to defend Ekiti culture and traditions and devise ways to rescue them from extinction, so that the natural bond among the populace can be protected.
He saluted Governor Oyebanji for taking interest in the growth of culture and traditions of the people, saying he manifested this by his respect for the traditional rulers across hierarchies.