14yrs after, Makinde crowns new Onitabo of Itabo, presents instruments of office

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has formally installed and crowned His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Ojedokun as the new Onitabo of Itaboland, in Ibarapa East local government area.

This was as the governor officially presented the new monarch with instruments of office comprising the certificate and staff of office.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola Ojo, who represented the governor said the coronation has brought to an end a 14-year vacancy on the traditional stool.

The coronation and installation ceremony held on Friday, July 10 at the Onitabo Community Primary School, Itabo.

The governor said the approval for the appointment of the new monarch was strictly in line with the provisions of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State and the established customary procedures governing the selection of the Onitabo of Itabo.

The installation marks the culmination of a process initiated following the vacancy that occurred on December 29, 2014, in the Onitabo of Itabo chieftaincy in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to the instrument of appointment, the kingmakers, acting in accordance with customary law regulating the selection of the traditional ruler, unanimously selected Oba Ojedokun for the stool before forwarding their recommendation to the state government for approval.

Governor Makinde subsequently approved the appointment pursuant to Section 15 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28, Volume 1, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, thereby paving the way for the formal installation of the new traditional ruler.

Presenting the instruments of office, the governor affirmed the recognised status of the Onitabo of Itabo Chieftaincy and charged the monarch to uphold the customs, traditions and cultural heritage of the ancient town while promoting peace, unity and development among his subjects.

The governor also urged the new traditional ruler to work closely with the state government, community leaders and other stakeholders in advancing grassroots development and sustaining the peaceful coexistence for which the community is known.

In his acceptance speech shortly after receiving the instruments of office, the Onitabo of Itabo, Oba Kehinde Ojedokun, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for approving his appointment and for resolving the prolonged vacancy on the stool.

The monarch pledged to provide purposeful leadership, foster unity among the people and collaborate with government and development partners to accelerate socio-economic growth in Itabo and its neighbouring communities.

Oba Ojedokun maintained that his enthronement remain a collective victory for all the princes who contested with him stressing the need to put all differences aside and work together as a family for the development of Itaboland.

He promised to be what he called a servant leader and be father to all regardless of religious, ethnicity, and political affiliations while vowing to work collaboratively with government at all levels towards the socioeconomic development of Itaboland.

The Speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in his brief goodwill message, commended governor Makinde for providing what he called “purposeful leadership by deepening the relationship between government and traditional institution in the state.

He described Makinde as visionary and pragmatic, saying “governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubt what real governance is all about.

“And I can say confidently that he remains the best governor in the whole of Nigeria today.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Ibarapa East local government, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade described the occasion as more than coronation and fanfare of royalty insisting that it was a reaffirmation of history, heritage and collective pride of the people of Ibarapa East.

He said the stool remains the source of traditional heritage, religious harmony of the traditional institution that will strengthen and deepen unity and peace in the Itaboland.

He particularly commended the governor and the state traditional institution for upholding and preserving the Yoruba culture in Oyo state.

Present at the event were the ermanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Barrister Ajuwon Waheed, Hon. Monsuru Ojo, Itesiwaju local government chairman, Chairman of Oyo state Library Board; Hon.Yemi Taiwo, Director of Chieftaincy Matters; Gbenga Abiola,

Prince Jacob Kehinde Oyatowo of the lineage of Ibitoye Oyekanmi royal house, in a goodwill message on behalf of the family, expressed confidence and optimism that the reign of the new monarch will usher in peace and prosperity to Itabo.

He further described the event as historic saying: “the enthronement of Oba Kehinde Ojedokun is a blessing to all sons and daughters of Itabo home and diaspora.

Residents and community leaders who spoke, described the installation as a historic milestone, expressing optimism that the emergence of a substantive traditional ruler would strengthen communal harmony, preserve the town’s rich cultural heritage and stimulate development after long years of vacancy.