The Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, expressed dismay over the proliferation of illegal traditional rulers in the State.
The government specifically expressed its dissatisfaction against some people procuring fake appointment letters and parading themselves as monarchs without following laid down procedures as stipulated by the laws governing the obaship institution in the State.
Expressing this concern at the 3rd Quarter Statutory Meeting of the Ogun State Council of Obas, held at the Obas Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun said those involved in such illegal act do not mean well for the State and traditional institutions.
Represented by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, the governor said, “those individuals would not only bring confusion to the State but ridicule the traditional institutions”.
He declared that the present administration would no longer condone such unscrupulous activities.
He observed that the traditional institution remained a veritable platform to entrench good governance, hence, any administration that desires sustainable development, must collaborate with it.
Abiodun noted that his administration had continued to revere the traditional rulers “as our strategic partners in its commitment for an inclusive, just, fair, equitable, transparent, accountable and obedience to the rule of law.”
“We shall not fold our arms and allow a few unscrupulous elements, under our watch, to tarnish the image of our state, rubbish our traditional institutions thereby bringing it to a state of ridicule”, he declared.
Abiodun, however, assured the traditional rulers of his administration’s relentless commitment to their welfare and well-being as it did on the recent 50% increment in the monthly subvention of the four traditional councils and much more within the available resources of the State.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun said, the ministry has been working assiduously in ensuring that the welfare of monarchs are guaranteed and vacant stools are filled.
He said the Ministry has successfully pushed through, in line with relevant laws and observance of customs, the installation of Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and Negbuwa of Ibido who were also part of the meeting.
Chairman of the Council, Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, in his address, appreciated the governor for the 50% augmentation for the four traditional councils.
He added that the issue of security was germane to the royal fathers, urging the government to make adequate provision for funding local security outfits in the State.
