Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has called on traditional rulers in the state to intensify efforts toward sustaining unity and peaceful co-existence in their domains.
Fayemi made call on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti during the inauguration of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers for 2021-2023.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly inaugurated council will have the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, as its Chairman.
Oba Adejuwon succeeded the Alawe of Ilawe, Oba Adebanji Alabi, who was the immediate past Chairman and whose tenure lapsed on July 31, 2021.
The new chairman is expected to preside over the 68-member council drawn from among the traditional rulers for two years.
Fayemi said that the role of traditional rulers in maintaining the desired unity and peaceful co-existence among the people of the state could not be overemphasised.
He said the traditional rulers have central role to play in fostering unity in their respective domains, saying that all hands must be on deck for the sustenance of peace and harmony.
He commended the traditional rulers for their mediatory, reconciliatory and advisory roles, saying such accounted for the growth, progress and socio-economic development being witnessed in the state.
The governor assured the traditional rulers that their welfare and wellbeing would be given the desired priority and recognition.
“Let me restate here that, the most important ingredient of development in the State is peace and security and our royal fathers have a central role to play in fostering peace in their domains.
“Therefore, all hands must be on deck for the sustenance of peace .
“The mediatory, reconciliatory and advisory roles that you are all playing as our Royal Fathers should be sustained for the peace, progress and development of our dear State.
“I enjoin you to continue supporting the government in our commitment to transforming the state by mobilising your subjects to ensure that the peace and harmony in the State is maintained at all times.
“The fact that development can only be best achieved under peaceful and harmonious atmosphere, cannot be overemphasised.
“As a responsible government that values cultural heritage, `Kabiyesis’, I assure you that your welfare will continue to be our priority as it is the desire of this government to put smiles on the faces of all within the available resources and without undue delay.”
Governor Fayemi also used the opportunity to appeal to royal families in all the towns in the state to exercise restraint in dragging all “Obaship” tussles to Court.
According to him, such tendencies often breed bad blood and acrimony stunting the development of the towns.
Fayemi condemned in totality the rampancy in stalling the installation of traditional rulers due to lingering litigations by aggrieved parties.
He expressed the government’s desire to henceforth enforce the State Regency Law, which stipulated that no royal vacancy should be allowed to drag beyond two years without successor.
“It was normal in the days of our forebears for a vacant stool to be filled within three months without rancor.
“Nowadays, the exercise can last for years or decades due to legal tussle that might ensue.
“In spite of the fact that we have a law that limits the regency period to a maximum of two years, we sadly still have lingering disputes that extend beyond two years.
“This is unfortunate and our people should learn to tolerate one another by exploring Alternative Dispute Resolutions.
“There is the need to restore our value and sustain the dignity of our cherished and revered traditional institution.
“Henceforth, we will endeavor to enforce legislation with respect to the tenure of regency in the state,” he said.
Fayemi described Oba Adejuwon’s inauguration as deserving, saying that his administration has respect and recognition for traditional rulers.
He commended the immediate past Chairman of the council and the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi for ensuring the commencement of the council’s building construction and Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs’ office during his tenure.
“It gladdens my heart to congratulate the newly appointed Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayodele Gabriel Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti.
“I pray that God will continue to grant you good health, wisdom, understanding and discerning spirit to lead the council aright and contribute positively to the development of Ekiti State.
“May your tenure be blessed and peaceful,” he said.
Responding, the new Chairman, Oba Adejuwon, assured Fayemi that the traditional council under him shall partner the government in moving the state forward.
“Let me also reemphasise at this juncture that the Ekiti State traditional council has more to contribute to addressing and tackling the atrocious challenges of insecurity in our land and Nigeria as a whole.
“We shall work assiduously with all security agencies in our state, so also the royal fathers in the neighbouring communities to tackle the menace of insecurity.
“It is now clear that the issue of security can’t be left alone for government.
“We have roles to play in ensuring security of lives and property in our dear state,” he said. (NAN)