By BASHIR ADEFAKA
As accolades continue to pour on Alagbaka following the implemention of Ajama Judicial Commission of Enquiry Report and the White Paper to that effect, the Okiti of Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Amos Adelakun Farukanmi, has described Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), as a fantastic state leader and respecter of customs and traditions.
He stated this during an interview with The DEFENDER Tuesday night, saying what the Owo-born governor had just done was restoring the dignity of the traditional institution in the state, which he said was not thought to be possible easily until it became possible by the legal luminary turned Governor.
The Iju monarch said, “We are happy at Iju because, the elevation to the status of First Class Oba is one thing that we know will enable us to effect development more than we have had in the town.
“We shall ensure continued support for the Akeredolu’s government in order for it to achieve the best in terms of security, peace and development, not only for our town but also, for the entire Ondo State,” he said.
Oba Farukanmi is one of 100 traditional rulers elevated at various levels, with him upgraded from Grade ‘B to A’ while others got elevated from Grade ‘C to B’ and 62 others, who include the Osolo of Isolo, Iralepo of Isinkan, among others got recognised as Obas.
Oba Farukanmi, younger brother of Olurunimbe Farukanmi, a former Senator representing Ondo Central at the Nigerian Senate and Ondo State as National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ascended the throne of Okiti stool on January 11, 1988 and, has patiently ruled for 34 years being part of contribution of progress of old and new Ondo State until his promotion as First Class Oba, by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN)’s White Paper, recently.
Aside the Okiti of Iju, other First Class traditional rulers that the White Paper has produced include the Olowa of Igbara-Oke, Oloba of Oba Ile, Ogbolu of Itaogbolu, Alara of Ilara Mokin, Olujare of Ijare, Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko, among others.
The newly recognised Obas include the Osolo of Isolo, Iralepo of Isinkan, Olujoka of Ijoka, Olujiga of Ijiga in Akure South Local Government, Olu of Ilu Abo in Akure North Local Government among others from across the state.
They will be presented their Staff of Office by the governor soon, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, said while announcing the release of the White Paper on Tuesday.
In the meantime, the government has said there is no paramountcy in the chieftaincy law of Ondo State and so that there should be no traditional ruler, who has the right to proclaim himself with one.
