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By Oluseye Ojo and Kehinde Aderemi
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has elevated 14 high chiefs and baales (village heads) in Oyo town to the status of crown-wearing Obas, a move the government claimed was aimed at strengthening traditional institutions and deepening grassroots development.
The newly elevated monarchs were presented with instruments of office by the deputy governor, Bayo Lawal, on behalf of the governor during a colourful coronation ceremony held at Oliveth Heights, Oyo, on Friday.
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Makinde said the elevation confirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting peace, stability and development through strong traditional institutions.
He described the ascension of the chiefs as recognition of their leadership roles and a reaffirmation of the enduring relevance of traditional rulers in governance, peace-building and community development.
The governor noted that the state government holds traditional rulers in high esteem because of their roles as custodians of culture, promoters of unity and partners in progress.
He charged the newly crowned monarchs to uphold integrity, fairness and selfless service. He stressed that their reigns must be defined by peace, inclusiveness and support for government programmes targeted at improving citizens’ welfare.
Makinde added that sustained collaboration between government and traditional rulers remains critical to tackling security challenges, fostering unity and accelerating grassroots development.
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Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, described the ceremony as historic and culturally significant, noting that it reaffirmed Oyo’s rich cultural heritage and enduring traditional values.
He said the Yoruba traditional institution, one of Africa’s oldest and most revered, remains central to governance, cultural preservation and unity in Oyo land. According to him, the beaded crown symbolises authority, service and divine responsibility, urging the monarchs to lead with integrity, courage and compassion.
Ojo commended the governor for approving and sponsoring the mass coronation, describing it as a symbol of unity, continuity and renewal within Oyo land.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers in conflict resolution, cultural preservation and community mobilisation.
The newly elevated monarchs include the Alaaguo of Aguoland, David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke Oyo, Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu Oyo, Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Olaniyi Adegboye; and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Tijani Ajeigbe.
Others are the Onidode of Idodeland, Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo, Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaaki of Oyo, Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Jimoh Oyeleye; and the Elepe of Iseke, Abel Oyekan.
Dignitaries at the event included the Olubadan of Ibadanland represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade, and former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Senator, Monsurat Sunmonu, as well as members of the 10th Oyo State Assembly from Oyo geopolitical zone, top government officials and political leaders.
