Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has expressed the readiness of his administration to fully resolve all issues and make the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs functional again, stating that it has become imperative to restore the body.
Governor Makinde made this disclosure on Friday, March 8, at a meeting with traditional rulers across the state, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, according to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The governor noted that it had become expedient to resolve all issues so that the Council could contribute its quota to the development of the state in its official capacity.
Though the Makinde government had been carrying along the traditional institution in the state as shown in their involvement in different activities and policies of government, the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had been unable to meet officially since 2011.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, said that the administration had, in a bid to reconstitute and restore the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, earlier called for recommendations and suggestions from the members of the Council.
He added that the government has received recommendations and suggestions from all the geopolitical zones of the state and that it would go ahead to treat the same with all the seriousness and confidentiality they deserve.
He said: “We have engaged the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State.
“Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State.
“The governor, in his wisdom, has decided to do something about it in such a way that the council becomes functional again.
“Since 2011, this council has not sat for once, and you recall that our royal fathers are custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of Oyo State.
“Therefore, the government, with a view to reconstituting the council, called for ideas, suggestions and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the council and promote development in Oyo State.
“We have received observations and suggestions from the five geopolitical zones of the state, Ibadan zone, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones.
“We have received very profound and useful suggestions that will make the government to make necessary amendments to the Chiefs law of Oyo State.
“This is our discussion until proper reports are made. Those suggestions from our Kabiyiesi will be treated with confidentiality by the government of Oyo State until we are able to come up with agreed resolutions by both the royal fathers and government of Oyo State.
“Those suggestions and recommendations remain as they are now.”
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the traditional rulers to seek common ground and embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding in the efforts to reconstitute the Council.
He said that it would take the collaborative efforts of the state government and the Council to stamp out many criminal activities, including land grabbing, Kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining.
In attendance at the event were the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni; and Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Abiodun Aikomo.
Traditional rulers from all zones of the state were also in attendance.
