Wednesday, October 25, 2017 was one that marked a point in history for the people of Akinyele Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of Oyo state as it was one that witnessed a celebration that is unprecedented in the anal of the communities in that area as well as a one of a kind event where a royal reception was held for a royal majesty and three royal highnesses that were part of those elevated recently following the Oyo State chieftaincy reform.
The reception was a regal display of royalty as the kings escorted by Baales in their multitudes were honoured by their people in a ceremony described as a new dawn of development for communities within that local government.
The ceremony which was jointly packaged by the three caretaker chairmen in Akinyele council area; Olumide Alli, Akinyele South LCDA, Michael Fadoyin, Akinyele Local Government and Ayobami Akinpade, Akinyele East LCDA, was in honour of His Royal Majesty, Oba Amidu Ajibade Salaudeen, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land and His Royal Highnesses, Oba Lasisi Akano, Onijaye of Ijaye; Oba Ismaila Abioye Opeola, Oniroko of Iroko and Oba Moses Olasunkanmi Opeola, Onikereku of Ikereku.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement and a symphony of sound from diverse traditional music groups that escorted people and groups from various communities across Akinyele to the Award Hall, Akinyele Local Government Secretariat at Moniya, the venue of the event.
For the people, it continues to be a source of pride as they believe that having that number of kings within their community will speed up the rate of development, expressing the belief that they had not had adequate representation that is adequate for the size of the community.
The ceremony was a pot pourri of people from different walks of life; professional groups, the Christian Association of Nigeria, trade unions, League of Imams and Alfas, political associations and community leaders all came to show their solidarity for the new kings and council caretaker chairmen.
In his welcome address, the Caretaker Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Michael Fadoyin, expressed appreciation to the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in elevating the kings, noting that it is a thing of pride and upliftment for the community as a whole.
He stated that before their elevation, the four kings within the council have been consistent as a father that is interested in the well being of their children and he is sure that they will remain committed to the cause of the people.
In his message, the Caretaker Chairman of Akinyele South LCDA, Olumide Alli, expressed appreciation to the people for their support for the government and traditional institution in the state, adding that it is a rare priviledge to have kings that have sincere love for the people and a passion to ensure the lot of people within their community improves continually.
According to him, it is time for all institutions within the state to work hand in hand to make life better for the people. He assured the kings that the council and the people in the community will continue to support them and give them their due respect as traditional rulers.
He also urged the people to eschew violence and follow the path of peaceful coexistence with everyone in their communities irrespective of tribe or religion, adding that everyone is one before God and development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace.
In his closing remarks, the Caretaker Chairman, Akinyele East LCDA, Ayobami Akinpade, appealed to people not to look at the present situation of things as it will soon get better. He urged them to continue praying and supporting people in authority so that they will take decisions favourable to the people.
In his goodwill message, the All Progressive Congress leader in Akinyele and Chairman of Oyo state Local Government Service Commission, Olu Akintola, congratulated the people for the honour bestowed on the community with the elevation of chiefs, adding that this signals the dawn of a new era for the Akinyele community.
He promised the kings that as elders, they would be given the required respect and carried along in issues pertaining to the welfare of the people in the community.
In their response, the kings led by the Ekarun Olubadan stated that the elevation is their right and not unmerited favour, adding that they will in no way disrespect His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who has been a true father in every situation.
The Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Amidu Ajibade Salaudeen, in his speech stated that it is a fallacy to say that the governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, approved chieftaincy reforms and elevated eleven high chiefs and some Baales to the position of kings for selfish reasons as it was not the governor’s idea but a demand by the high chiefs.
Oba Salaudeen explained that the high chiefs went to the governor and continued to harass him because it is their right and they had to fight for it, adding that they had to involve Ibadan elders when the governor showed reluctance in granting their requests.
“I want to inform people today that the Oyo state chieftaincy reform and the elevation of high chiefs and Baales in Ibadan contyrary to beliefare not the governor’s idea. We asked for it. Ajimobi didn’t plan it. He did not come for us, rather, we went to him with our requests and he told us to write him officially. We did, yet he did nothing.
“So we reported him to the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes and the Ibadan Elders Forum after which we were told to write again and we even held a meeting at Ambassador Saanu’s house with our father, the Olubadan in attendance and there was no misunderstanding during the meeting,” Oba Salaudeen said.
He explained that contrary to belief in some quarters, their elevation was a long process with the high chiefs harassing the governor frequently before the governor set up a seven-man committee to look into the matter, adding that the high chiefs raised a protest that there were few Ibadan indigenes and the governor told them to look for four others and that the CCII selected the four other members of the panel.
He added further that it is indeed a fallacy and unfair to say the governor did the elevation for political purposes, adding that those peddling the rumour are just using the matter for political and selfish interests.
“I also want to add that our father, the Imperial Majesty of Ibadan land is a gentleman and a father and he is not responsible for the various statements attributed to him. We know those behind it but we will not join them in mudslinging. We are all loyal to our father and that is how it will remain,” Oba Salaudeen stated, adding that, “we all get our salaries as at when due from the governor and it is a lie that any high chief is not paid his due.”
The Onijaye of Ijaye, Oba Lasisi Akano stated that Ijaye as a community since time immemorial was ruled by a king and this went on till the war in 1862 which dispersed the town and since 1895 that the town came together, the crown was not returned to the community until the recent elevation, adding that it is the right of the community to have a king.
His counterpart, Oba Ismail Opeola, the Oniroko of Iroko, supported this, emphasising that the governor did not give them what they do not deserve as it is their right, adding that the governor should be commended for taking the steps to do the right thing in spite of efforts to thwart him.
Oba Moses Akinyosoye, the Onikereku of Ikereku on his part stated that as kings, their loyalty to the Olubadan remains unwavering adding that, he is a father and no one dares to disrespect his father. He added that the traditional institution is still strong and will remain so.
The chairmen and traditional rulers called for synergy, asking the people to support the traditional rulers and the council heads to bring development faster to the council as the leadership needs prayers and support from the people.
