In the Past, Kings were placed above Governors …
The foundation stones for the construction of the Traditional Council Building for Ibadan North East Local Government Council have been laid during a ceremony held at the Council’s Secretariat, Iwo Road, Ibadan. This was sequel to the approval granted by the Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government Council, Honourable ‘Lekan Afuye to the proposal of the Local Government Traditional Council under the leadership of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin.
The foundation stones were jointly laid on the 31st of July 2018 by Oba Olakulehin, Mrs. Olaleye the Permanent Secretary who represented the Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Afuye and Prince Gbade Lana.
In his welcome address at the occasion, the Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Honourable Lekan Afuye expressed his delight for being part of the ceremony and for witnessing the milestone achievement in the annals of both Ibadan North East Local Government Council and Ibadan East Local Council Development Area.
Hon. Afuye also expressed his belief that having a suitable and befitting Traditional Council Building is long overdue and the Royal Fathers will now have a permanent place where they can deliberate on issues that will bring progress to their domain in Ibadan land and Oyo State at large. He assured that the construction be of high quality with use of good materials that will stand the test of time and promised that it will be completed within a short time.
He lauded the efforts of the Royal Fathers in promoting peaceful co-existence in their domains. He charged the Royal Fathers to further complement Governor Ajimobi’s effort at ensuring security of lives and property in the State.
Honourable Afuye appealed to all the residents and citizens of Ibadan North East Local Government at home and in diaspora to contribute their own quota to the development of the Local Government, the State and the Nation. He charged all residents to obtain their permanent voters card to exercise their civic responsibility and vote for candidates of their choice at the next elections. Afuye also enjoined the youths not to allow them to be used as political thugs; rather, they should channel their strength to positive endeavours for a bright and better future.
He congratulated Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland, who is also the Chairman of Traditional Council for both Ibadan North East Local Government and Ibadan East Local Council Development Area for witnessing the occasion. He expressed his profound gratitude to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi’s for the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy law which culminated into crowing of 21 new Oba in which three of the prominent sons of Ibadan N.E. local government were among the crowned kings. The trio of the new Kings included Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Balogun Olubadan and Oba Kola Daisi the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters, Oyo State, Mrs. I. O. Olaleye who represented the Commissioner for the Ministry, Honourable Bimbo Kolade said that it is on record that this is the third place where Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin would be embarking on this kind of foundation laying assignment. She applauded Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakunlehi’s’s efforts as the Chairman Traditional Council of the Local Government who has been able to manage the Traditional Council’s account creditably.
Mrs. Olaleye assured the Traditional Council that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters by the approval of the Oyo State Government will encourage and support Traditional Councils and she prayed for Oba Akinloye to see the completion of the building in his lifetime.
In his response, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin appreciated everybody that invested their time at attending the occasion, especially his Mogajis. And as if to relive the past, Oba Olakulehin delved into history that when he was young, it was the kings that governed the activities and affairs of the community but the advent of the colonial masters changed everything by placing kings under Governors. Although the Governors did not eradicate the functions of the kings, their placement under the Governors is what we have till date, he said.
Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin further added that it is important to build Traditional Council building so that meetings and other necessary activities will be intact for the development of the Traditional Council. Oba Akinloye appreciated the swift and positive response of the Chairman, Ibadan North East Local Government, Honourable Lekan Afuye by approving a satisfactory portion of land to the Traditional Council and prayed for the Chairman’s support towards the completion of the building. He proclaimed that by God’s grace in the first week of December 2018 the building will be commissioned for the use of the Traditional council. The estimated cost of the proposed building was not revealed.
Prominent officials that accompanied Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin to the building site from the Secretariat hall were the Permanent Secretary Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters – Mrs. I.O. Olaleye, the Chairman, Ibadan North East Local Government – Hon. Lekan Afuye, Chairman, Ibadan East Local Council Development Area – Prince Gbade Lana, the Vice Chairman, Ibadan North East Local Government – Hon. Saheed Adegbite and Vice Chairman Ibadan East Local Government Council Development Area – Hon. Olubunmi Oladeji Bankole.
Others were Director of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters – Mr. Z.O. Jaiyeola, Council Manager of Ibadan North East Local Government – Mrs. A. A. Adisa, Council Manager, Ibadan East Local Council Development Area – Alhaja A.A. Adepoju, 10 Councilors from the 10 wards of the Ibadan North East Local Government, Mogajis, Chiefs and Baales from the Ibadan North East Local Government Traditional Council.