BREAKING: Ondo govt releases White Paper on Ajama Panel Report

*Osolo of Isolo, Iralepo of Isinkan, Olu of Ilu Abo, Ojujoka of Ijoka now officially recognised as Obas

*As govt makes Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Okiti of Iju, Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, Oloba of Oba-Ile, others First Class Obas

*No paramountcy yet in state chieftaincy law – Govt

*Akeredolu is an enigma, will forever be remembered for his landmark in Ondo State – Indigenes

By KEMI KASUMU

The government White Paper, which gives a bite to the report of Ajama Judicial Commission of Enquiry, has been released.

The document, released on Monday September 12, 2022 by the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government of Ondo State, has finally settled all disputed chieftaincies and put the feet of the state on the path of permanent peace.

More remarkably from the White Paper, the Ondo State Government has now finally laid to rest issues surrounding the Obaship of Osolo of Isolo and Iralepo of Isinkan in Akure South Local Government Area of the state, as it has now pronounced heads of the two autonomous communities as Obas.

In addition, the state government has also recognised Olujoka of Ijoka, Olu of Ijigba and few other stools also in Akure South and Olu of Ilu Abo and Asinigbo of Isinigbo and few others in Akure North Local Government Area and others in that category to now be properly call by law the Obas of their respective communities.

According to a press statement signed by the Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, ksm, at the seat of government in Alagbaka on Monday, all the newly recognised Obas, who are on Grade C, will soon be presented their Staff of Office by the Governor.

It will be recalled that among the newly recognised Obas, the Iralepo of Isinkan Land had recently been presented his Staff of Office.

In the meantime, Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Alara of Ilara Mokin, Oloba of Oba Ile, Okiti of Iju, Ogbolu of Itaogbolu and Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko are among the Obas elevated from Grade B to A meaning they are now First Class traditional rulers.

See details of government release in the statement below:

CHIEFTANCY MATTERS: Ondo Govt Releases White Paper On Judicial Commission Of Inquiry

PRESS STATEMENT

INTRODUCTION
On the 30th day of January, 2015, the then Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko CON, inaugurated Hon. Justice Ajama (rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry into deserving cases of Recognition, Adjustment, upgrading and elevation of Chieftaincy Stools in Ondo State.

However, the previous administration of Dr Olusegun Mimiko could not implement the Commission’s report before the end of its tenure on 23rd of February, 2017.

Following several disputes and agitations emanating as a result of the Chieftaincy conflicts in the state, the State Executive Council under the able leadership of the Governor of the State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN at its meeting held on Wednesday 12th January 2022 constituted a six-man committee to review the recommendations of the Justice C.E.T. Ajama Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in Ondo State and prepare the Government White Paper on the report.

The Committee was led by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Other members of the committee include, Chief Olugbenga Ale, (Chief of Staff), Sir Charles Titiloye, (Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice), Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, (Commissioner for Commerce Co-operative and Industry), Asiwaju Gboyega Adefarati, (Commissioner for Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs as he then was) Mr. Segun Odusanya, (Permanent Secretary, Min. of Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs, Secretary of the committee).

Secretary of the committee).

On the 24th of August, 2022, the State Executive Council received the report of the Committee and directed that its decisions on the recommendation should be published in Government WHITE PAPER.

Consequently, Government hereby RELEASES the White Paper on the Hon. Justice Ajama Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in Ondo State.
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE CONTENT OF THE WHITE PAPERS IS AS FOLLOWS:
The White Paper is divided into Three (3) Parts namely

1. PART I – Disputed Chieftaincy declarations in Ondo State. The Government White Paper under this Part covered 51 disputed chieftaincy stools in various communities making up the 18 Local Government of Ondo State. The content of this section of the White paper is voluminous and run into many pages. The public can get the full details from the just released WHITE PAPER.

2. PART II – Recognition and creation of Minor Chieftaincies Under Part 1 Of Chiefs’ Law

The following chieftaincies stools have been created and recognized by Government under Part 1 of the Chiefs’ Law.

1. Eleegun of Eegun
2. Asinigbo of Isinigbo
3. Oniresi of Osi
4. Olumafon of Imafon
5. Olu of Alayere
6. Olu of Eleyewo
7. Olu of Ilu-Abo
8. Olu of Abo-Asakin
9. Obalogun of Igoba
10. Ojogbariaka of Ilado
11. Elekun of Ilekun
12. Iralepo of Isinkan
13. Osolo of Isolo
14. Olujoka of Ijoka
15. Ado of Adofure
16. Olu of Ijigba
17. Ogidi of Ogidigba
18. Iginabou of Ajapa
19. Amananawei of Upke
20. Amananawei Of Biagbini
21. Torhunanawei of Olomu-Torhu
22. Amananawei of Agadagba-Obon
23. Amananawei of Bolowou
24. Apetokun of Ipoba
25. Alajowa of Ajowa
26. Elegbeda of Egbeda
27. Onikoore of Onishere Ofosu
28. Akorede of Abababubu
29. Baale of Owode-Owena
30. Aje of Ajebamidele
31. Elejigbo of Ejigbo
32. Olu of Owena-Ibutitan
33. Olu of Ipote
34. Orimadegun of Eyingun
35. Olupote of Lota
36. Olusama of Usama
37. Akemo of Bamikemo
38. Oloja Mobolorunduro Mile 49
39. Petu of Osooro
40. Odofin of Iju-Oke
41. Afijalura of Ura-Odoli, Ilutitun
42. Lurowa of Irowa, Lurowa
43. Erekiti-Luwoye
44. Oloja of Ugbe Ayeka
45. Oloja of Oke-Yegengha
46. Oloja of Odole
47. Oloja of Ugboran
48. Oloja of Araromi
49. Oloja of Bolorunduro
50. Kokunma of Ilale-Oko, Idashen Owo
51. Olose of Ose-Owo
52. Ajelu of Igbe
53. Monehin of Obinehin
54. Elereke of Ereke
55. Araromi Seaside
56. Osowa of Ugboroko
57. Arapanata of Itebu-Kunmi
58. Jinrinwo
59. Yasere of Ilepete
60. Gbogunron of Ugbo (Alagbon)
61. Idigbengben
62. Olurokun of Irokun
63. Government accepts the recommendation of the Commission for the recognition of High Chiefs of Akure Kingdom, High Chiefs of Arogbo-ijaw Kingdom under Part 1 subject to the amendment of Chiefs law to create the class of Chiefs known as High Chiefs.

The above newly recognized Obas are on Grade C and instrument of office will soon be presented to them by the Governor.

3. Part III – Upgrading And Elevation Of Existing Chieftaincy Stool
UPGRADING OF GRADE C OBAS
NAME THE NEW GRADE
1. Owa-Ale of Iyo-mefa, Ikare – A
2. Ajana of Afa Oke-Agbe – – A
3. Olukun of Ikun – – – B
4. Gbiri of Epinmi – – – B
5. Olupesi of Ipesi – – – B
6. Olufira of Ifira – – – B
7. Olugbe of Ugbe – – – B
8. Olojoda of Oda – – – B
9. Asarun of Isarun – – – B
10. Adapogun of Ipogun – – B
11. Ekiri of Ero – – – – B
12. Olubule of Ibulesoro – – B
13. Olura of Igbinsin Oloto – – B
14. Obagberume of Igbodigo – – B
15. Laragunsin of Iyansan – – B
16. Olughogho of Iju-Osun – – B
17. Olukaro of Ikaro – – – B
18. Odibiado of Ijagba – – – B
19. Olumoru of Imoru – – – A
20. Onimeri of Imeri – – – B
21. Alafo of Afo – – – – B
22. Onidogun of Idogun – – B
23. Gbaluwe of Igbootu – – B
24. Niyon of Kiribo – – remain in C
25. Olu of Igbobini – – – B
26. Odogun of Igbekebo – – B
27. Maporure of Agerige . – – A
28. Olu of Igbokoda – – – B
29. Ojomo of Ijebu-Owo. – – A
30. Oloba of Uso – – – remain in C
31. Elemure of Emure-Ile – – A
32. Alale of Idasen – – – B
33. Oniyere of Iyere – – – B
34. Olupenmen of Ipenmen – – B
35. Asuada of Isuada – – – B
36. Awosunye of Atosin – – – B
37. Aladeokun of Alade – – B
38. Alara of Igunsin – – – B
39. Asafunrin of Igbado – – – B
40. Yangede of Epe – – – B
41. Akogbe of Ajue – – – B
42. Olore of Ore – – – – B

UPGRADING OF GRADE B OBAS
1. Alale of Akungba – – – A
2. Olusupare of Supare – remain in B
3. Oloba of Oba-Akoko – remain in B
4. Olupe of Ipe – – remain in B
5. Okiti of Iju – – – – A
6. Ogbolu of Itaogbolu – – – A
7. Oloba of Oba-Ile – – – A
8. Lumure of Ayeka – – remain in B
9. Orungberuwa of Erinje – – A
10. Lapoki-Halu of Ode-Aye – – A
11. Ahaba of Ajagba – – – A
12. Larogbo of Akotogbo – – A
13. Odogbo of Omiland – – remain in B
14. Olujare of Ijare – – – A
15. Alara of Ilaramokin – – – A
16. Olowa of Igbara-Oke. – – A
17. Olute of Ute – – – – A
18. Ojima of Okeluse – – remain in B
19. Olupele of Ipele . – – – A
20. Orunja of Odigbo – – – A
21. Oluoke of Okeigbo – – – A
22. Olikan of Etikan – – – A

Paramountcy of Traditional Rulers.
Government is in receipt of the recommendation of the Commission on Paramountcy of some Traditional rulers in the state. Government noted that paramountcy is not part of the Chiefs’ Law of Ondo State. Consequently, Government has directed the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to set machinery in motion for the amendment of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State in order to accommodate this recommendation.

Conclusion.

This Government met the Justice C. E. T. Ajama report unattended to on assumption of office. A committee of the State Executive Council was set up to review the report and make recommendations. The Committee didn’t present its report until in February 2022 when a new Committee was set up. The report of the Committee eventually made it possible for the Five years old Justice Ajama report to be considered and acted upon by the State Executive Council.

For full details of the approval of Government, Published Certified True Copy of the White Paper can be obtained from Ondo State Law Commission, Oda Road, Akure and the Library Department of Ondo State Ministry of Justice, Alagbaka, Akure as from Thursday 15th of September, 2022.

Government is hopeful that this exhaustive consideration and review of Chieftaincy Matters in the State will bring peace, unity and progress to our various communities. Government hereby assure the Public that the review of Chieftaincy matters will be a continuous exercise and requests or issues that have not been looked into in this White paper will be considered in the future.
God bless Ondo State of Nigeria.
Thanks.

Signed.

Sir Charles Titiloye ksm.
Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State.