*For bringing permanent peace to state’s traditional institution
*Promise to continue to work for governor’s present, future successes
By KEMI KASUMU
Like a Yoruba parlance says, a horse rider will have no hiccup should he ride on the mind of Isolo township people of Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State at the moment and for endless time to come, as jubilation sparked off in celebration of recognition of the traditional rulership by law with many of them passing a ‘vote of confidence’ on the governor.
This has been the situation for Isolo sons and daughters home and abroad since the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) released his White Paper on Ajama Judicial Commission of Enquiry, on Monday September 12, 2022, which pronounces their royal stool as an Oba.
The release was coming, a day after the Osolo of Isolo, His Royal Highness Oba Edward Adejoyegbe Adewole Osolade II, led his people in marking this year’s edition of annual Owayoko Yam Festival, during which his people came not only to rejoice with him having seen him as an Oba that has given the town a facelift but also to cease the opportunity to express their ‘Vote of Confidence’ on Governor Akeredolu for being the state leader that finally found permanent solution to avoidable chieftaincy tussle unnecessarily mounted by some elements from outside the autonomous community.
HRH Oba Edward Adewole Osalade II, in a meeting with some of his people of Isolo, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, as he celebrates annual Owayoko Yam Festival on Sunday, September 11, 2022.
Governor Akeredolu, while announcing the elevation of some 100 traditional rulers from Grades ‘C to B’ and ‘B to A’ that is First Class status as well as approving around 60 new royal stools across the state recently, had promised to release his White Paper that will give bite to their new positions.
Monday’s release of the White Paper has seen the Osolo of Isolo in Akure South Local Government busy receiving multitudes of callers’ calls who either throng the Osolo’s Palace physically, on the telephone, Facebook, or Whatsapp to be counted with his success.
One of them, who also spoke with The DEFENDER, said, “For now, I can assure you that our joy has no bound. We are extremely happy. This Governor of Ondo State, Akeredolu, is indeed ‘unputdownable’ like Alhaji Aliko Dangote would say. There is no sane son of the soil, who will ever be looked in the face and be told that he has no history and he will be happy. But this governor of Ondo State, an Owo son and pride of all of us in the state, His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, has done for all of us, Isolo people like for Isinkan, and many other communities’ people, what will never be forgotten whenever history of Ondo State traditional institution is told.
“We are grateful to the Governor, the Talker-and-Doer, we are grateful to his Deputy Governor, our own amiable Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, his State Executive Council members particularly the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, ksm, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Akinwumi Sowore, and the Chairman, Akure South Local Government, Mr. Bankole Ogbesetore. We say thank you and once again we say thank you to them and congratulate ourselves, the Isolo people for this remarkable success,” he said.
The DEFENDER reports that, while giving his remarks at the Owayoko festival celebration on Sunday, Osolo of Isolo, Oba Edward Kolawole Adejoyegbe Osalade II, had led his Osolo-in-Council in prayer and royal blessings for all indigenes at home and in the Diaspora and the entire residents of Isolo, in accordance with the Isolo customs and traditions.
During the celebration, Oba Adewole specially appreciated the ‘talk-and-do’ Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for the official recognition of Osolo stool. He then prayed for the present and future successes of the Governor.
The monarch reiterated his commitment to the peace building and progress of Isolo town in Akure South and enjoined all stakeholders, Muslim and Christian leaders, elites, indigenes home and abroad and all residents to increase and continue their supports for him “to take our dear town to greater heights.”
In a message to The DEFENDER, signed by Aide on Administration and Media, Comrade Ayomide Michael, Oba Adewole Osalade II summed his remarks with royal blessings for Isolo town, Akure South, Ondo State and Nigeria in general, just like he prayed for the peace of Africa and the world.
The DEFENDER had reported on Monday that the government’s White Paper, which gives a bite to the report of Ajama Judicial Commission of Enquiry, had 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 path of permanent peace.
We reported that 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.
