Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State has charged the new Olomu of Ilomu Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Oba Ojo Oluwadamilare Omobiire, to ensure that peace reigns in his domain in order to foster development.
Fayemi gave the charge on Tuesday while presenting the instrument of office and staff of office to the new Olomu of Ilomu Ekiti at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti in the Ekiti State capital.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Fayemi enjoined the people of Ilomu Ekiti to rally round their traditional ruler to accelerate the pace of development of the town.
A statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, explained that Oba Omobiire’s appointment was approved by the State Executive Council on May 14, 2020 after he had fulfilled all necessary conditions to ascend the throne.
He succeeded the last occupant of the Olomu Royal seat, the late Oba Samuel Patrick Adepoju, who joined his ancestors on February 2, 2019 which necessitated the process to select a new king for the community.
The presentation of the staff of office was performed in line with COVID-19 protocols with very limited number of people witnessing the event who all adhered to physical distancing rule.
Fayemi expressed satisfaction with the selection process which he said was devoid of rancour, political colouration or manipulation.
The Governor stressed the need for Oba Omobiire to ensure that his community maintain peace with neighbouring towns of Esure Ekiti from which Ilomu got autonomy and Eyio Ekiti.
While noting that the new traditional ruler emerges by divine grace, the Governor said he should regard himself as the Chief servant of his people whom he must now carry along in decision making.
In his address, the Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Mr. Sina Ogunleye, who described Ilomu Ekiti as a relatively new town which received autonomy in October 2018, urgently needed development.
The LG boss commended the kingmakers for their forthrightness on arriving at the choice of Oba Omobiire urging other stakeholders to face the herculean task of working for the progress of the community.
The Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adeniyi Familoni, disclosed that not less than eight vacant royal stools had been filled by the Governor since the beginning of the year on strict compliance with the Chiefs Law.
Familoni advised the new Oba to exercise the power vested in him with restraint noting that “it is no longer fashionable to compel obedience by force but to always employ dialogue to give the subjects a sense of belonging.”
In his acceptance speech, Oba Omobiire pledged to work with all his power and deploy his knowledge and exposure to evolve an Ilomu that will emerge as a model community in Ekiti State.
The Oba who saw his ascension to the throne as a call to duty and an opportunity to make a difference in the life of his people called on fellow contestants to join hands with him to develop their hometown.
Oba Omobiire promised to adopt the new age models of administration which include data gathering of potentials of the local population and utilise same to attract sustainable growth.
He promised to rally all segments of the town like chiefs, age groups, community development associations and indigenes in Diaspora to bring their ideas to the table to move the town forward.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
