Follow Us on Google
There was jubilation in Oke-Ako, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, on Monday as Governor Biodun Oyebanji installed Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni as the new Owa of Oke-Ako, ending a 25-year interregnum in the community.
The traditional stool had remained vacant since the death of the last monarch, Oba Omotayo Ogunbiyi of the Okediosan Ruling House, on December 10, 2000.
Oba Oni, from the Oke Aofin Royal Dynasty, received his Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment at a ceremony attended by government officials, traditional leaders, members of the royal families and indigenes of the community.
Representing Oyebanji at the ceremony, Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye congratulated the new monarch and the people of Oke-Ako for finally overcoming the protracted dispute that had delayed the filling of the stool. The governor described the installation as “victory at last”, urging the people to put the divisions of the past behind them and unite for the development of the community.
“I want you to look at the back, take stock and look for ways to make up for the lost grounds. The best way for you to do this is by allowing peace, unity and love. No town can develop without these.”
Oyebanji warned against renewed internal disputes and appealed to other contestants in the selection process to work with Oba Oni to restore peace and accelerate the development of Oke-Ako.
The governor said the prolonged legal battles that followed previous attempts to fill the stool had constituted a major obstacle to the enthronement of a new monarch.
He commended the Regent, Princess Tinuade Ogunbiyi-Adebayo, for presiding over the affairs of the community throughout the 25-year period.
Oyebanji urged the people to support the new monarch, saying the restoration of peace and unity was essential to attracting development to the town.
“I want you to work with Kabiyesi to restore the glory of Oke Ako. With all of you working together as a team, this town will become prosperous, progressive and successful,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Oni thanked the state government, kingmakers and the various royal families for resolving the dispute and paving the way for his installation.
Other News
The new monarch specifically commended Oyebanji for what he described as the governor’s patience, commitment and adherence to due process in resolving the matter.
“What this government did for this community by resolving a matter that had lingered for over 25 years was impressive. The governor did this through due process, patience, and genuine commitment to doing what was right for Oke-Ako community. We are grateful,” he said.
Oba Oni pledged to use his reign to unite the people and accelerate the social and economic development of the community.
He appealed to indigenes to abandon past grievances and work together irrespective of the royal families or factions they supported during the prolonged dispute.
“From this day, I am pleading to every Oke Ako indigene, regardless of which family you come from, regardless of which side of any past dispute you stood in, regardless of what happened before, to make a decision that we must forge ahead in unity,” he said.
He added: “Whatever divided us in the past must be left behind. We don’t have the luxury of carrying old grievances into a new era.”
The Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke, said the process that produced the new monarch complied with the state Chiefs Law as well as the customs and traditions of Oke-Ako.
Atibioke said the installation marked a new chapter for the community after years of uncertainty.
“Today belongs not only to the new Oba, but to all the indigenes of Oke Ako. A vacant throne creates a gap in the life of a community. A filled throne creates opportunities,” he said.
He urged the people to use the restoration of the traditional institution as a platform to promote unity, peace and development in Oke-Ako.
