Christianah Alade (Intern)
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Gbadebo, was on Tuesday inaugurated as the new Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, and thereby took over from his predecessor, Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.
Penpushing reports that the ceremony was held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, witnessed by Governor, Dapo Abiodun as well as other traditional rulers across the state.
The Alake in his speech, pledged to strengthen traditional institutions as partners in governance and catalysts for positive change and commended the Governor for what he described as the administration’s developmental strides across the state.
Penpushing further reports that Gbadebo equally commended the immediate past chairman of the council for his contributions to the welfare, unity and cohesion of traditional rulers during his two-year tenure.
The first-class traditional ruler pledged to build on those achievements by fostering greater unity within the council and supporting government programmes and policies that would improve the welfare and prosperity of the people.
Penpushing also reports that he pledged to approach his new responsibility not as a ruler above others, but “as a servant among equals,” committed to strengthening unity, deepening collaboration and improving the collective impact of the council.
The new chairman urged his colleagues to preserve Ogun’s cultural heritage while embracing innovation, stressing the need for fairness, integrity and compassion in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Penpushing further reports that he called for closer collaboration between traditional institutions and government at all levels in tackling challenges including insecurity, youth empowerment, education, healthcare and economic development.
The monarch pointed out that Governor Abiodun administration’s interventions in infrastructure and other sectors had contributed significantly to Ogun’s continued emergence as a major industrial hub in Nigeria, and equally acknowledged distribution of official cars to the traditional rulers
Penpushing also reports that Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, commended the traditional rulers for their contributions to peace, community development and the preservation of Ogun’s cultural heritage.
The commissioner described the monarchs as custodians of the state’s customs, traditions and cultural values, noting that their wisdom and leadership had continued to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen the relationship between government and the people.
Penpushing reports that he urged the traditional rulers to continue to give due consideration to the resolutions and recommendations of the council in the overall interest of the state, and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by sustaining their support for government programmes and policies aimed at advancing the socio-economic development of Ogun.
The commissioner commended the Governor for strengthening the partnership between government and the traditional institution, describing the collaboration as strategic to peace, grassroots development and good governance.
Penpushing further reports that the governor in his remarks charged traditional rulers across the state to deploy their influence at the grassroots to mobilise their subjects for peaceful, responsible and informed participation in the 2027 general elections.
The governor equally charged the new Chairman of the Council of Obas, to build on the achievements of his predecessor by strengthening unity among traditional rulers and promoting initiatives that would contribute to the advancement of the state.
Penpushing also reports that he urged the monarchs to educate their subjects on the importance of civic participation and encourage them to shun violence, thuggery, hatred and other acts capable of threatening the peace and stability of the state before, during and after the elections.
The governor described the 2027 elections as an important democratic transition, stressing that the strength of democracy was measured not only by the votes cast but also by the peace, responsibility and sound judgment with which citizens exercised their franchise.
Penpushing reports that Abiodun pointed out that traditional institutions, given their reach and moral authority at the grassroots, have an important role to play in ensuring that the next electoral season does not undermine the peace and development recorded in the state.
“Beyond security, I also called on our royal fathers to continue mobilising our people towards responsible civic participation, particularly as we enter another electoral season’, Abiodun emphasised.
“Our people should be encouraged to recognise and support the development strides of the government and, when the time comes, translate their appreciation into their democratic choices at the polls’, he said.
“At the same time, you must remind your subjects that elections should never become an excuse for violence, hatred or division. We must continue to uphold the peace we have collectively nurtured and participate responsibly in programmes that advance our ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda.”
Penpushing further reports that Abiodun said his administration had, over the past seven years, strengthened mechanisms to discourage hooliganism and political thuggery, noting that the recent primary election conducted by the ruling party in the state was peaceful and crisis-free.
The governor commended the traditional rulers for their continued support for the administration, describing them as strategic partners in maintaining peace, strengthening security and deepening grassroots development.
Penpushing also reports that he particularly praised the monarchs for supporting security agencies through intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, noting that their knowledge of local communities remained indispensable to effective security operations.
The governor said government could provide technology and logistics, while security agencies could deploy personnel, but neither could substitute for the local intelligence and community knowledge available through traditional institutions and citizens.
Penpushing reports that Abiodun said the partnership had yielded positive results, particularly in the state’s recent security challenges, disclosing that security agencies had arrested all suspects linked to the recent abduction of students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, assuring residents that the government would continue to deny criminals any safe haven in the state.
“I particularly commend you for the assistance extended to our security agencies during our recent security challenges. Information obtained through our communities and grassroots structures has enhanced security operations and demonstrated what can be achieved when government, traditional institutions, citizens and security agencies work together’, he said.
“I am therefore very pleased to inform our royal fathers that our security personnel have now arrested all the suspects linked to the recent abduction of students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade. Our message is very clear: there will be no sanctuary for kidnappers, criminals, cultists or their collaborators anywhere in Ogun State’, he added
Penpushing further reports that he equally urged the traditional rulers to make their palaces centres of peace and conflict resolution by deploying their wisdom and moral authority to settle minor disputes before they escalate into wider community crises.
The governor noted that effective intervention by traditional rulers at the early stages of disputes could prevent avoidable conflicts and preserve peaceful coexistence within communities.
Penpushing also reports that Abiodun explained that the distribution of 60 Sports Utility Vehicles to members of the State Council of Obas was part of the administration’s efforts to improve the mobility of traditional rulers and enable them to perform their responsibilities more effectively.
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