Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, admonished traditional rulers, as custodians of culture and tradition, to bestow honour of chieftaincy titles only on credible individuals who have displayed high moral values and integrity in the society.
This was just as the governor expressed confidence on the chances of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja in the PDP Southwest Zonal Congress, slated for Osogbo, saying that the former deputy governor and former member of the House of Representatives had the possession of experience needed to move the party forward.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, in a statement on Saturday, said that Makinde gave the admonition in Ogbomoso, while speaking at the installation of the Director-General, Oyo State Investment and Public and Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA), Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, as Otunba Mayeloye of Ijeru Kingdom.
According to the governor, traditional rulers would be able to attract a number of good-spirited Nigerians to render good service to the people, if they would only honour credible individuals with titles.
The CPS said that the governor extolled the virtues of the OYSIPA DG, describing his installation as Otunba Mayeloye and his wife as Yeye Mayeloye of Ijeru Kingdom as a well-deserved honour.
While speaking at the event held at the Lagbami Oseku Hall, Ogbomoso South Local Government, Arowomole, Ogbomoso, Governor Makinde described Ogunwuyi as one of the future leaders of Oyo State and Nigeria.
He stated that the former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and House of Representatives had good records in all the places he had served in the country, adding that his footprints were still noticeable in the House of Assembly, many years after he left.
The governor said: “First, I want to say that this honour is well- deserved, and I want to thank God that one of us is being honoured in his homestead. They do say that prophets are usually not honoured in their homes but this one is being honoured at the grassroots.”
On the zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party holding in Osogbo, Osun State, the governor said that Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja would equally emerge victorious, in continuation of the honour done to Ogunwuyi.
He said: “You would have been having a premonition about what will happen on Monday (in Osogbo); the Mayeloye title will really be made manifest in Arapaja, as he will emerge the chairman.
“I am glad that one of our own, who is also one of the future leaders of this state and country, is being honoured in his home base.
“We have seen people who stole money and were also honoured with titles. But the personality whom Kabiyesi is giving this title today is one who is having impact in the lives of our people in the state.
“He has served at the House of Assembly with a good track record. He has also served as a member at the House of Representatives. I searched for his records and observed that he served meritoriously. Since we got into government, I can confirm that he has been doing his best for the government of Oyo State as DG of OYSIPA.
“So, I want to beg our Kabiyesi to always honour people like Honourable Ogunwuyi so that they can encourage others to serve our state.”
In his remarks at the brief event, the Onpetu of Ijebu, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran, Lagbami Osekun III, said that the governor had started well by delivering dividends of democracy.
He prayed that the Almighty would continue to guide the governor to deliver more developmental strides to the people of the state.
