Excitement as Oyebanji installs Ekiti community monarch after 25 years

There was jubilation in Oke Ako in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday as Governor Biodun Oyebanji installed the new monarch of the community, the Owa of Oke-Ako, Oba Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni.

Before last week’s approval of Oni as the Owa of Oke Ako by the state government and consequent traditional installation, the stool was vacant for over 25 years. 

Oyebanji, represented by his deputy,  Monisade Afuye, at the presentation of Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the new monarch, who is from Oke Aofin Royal Dynasty, congratulated the monarch and the town for overcoming the difficulties witnessed during the interregnum.

The governor said, “I want to congratulate all of you today on this glorious moment. This, to us, is victory at last. You didn’t have a traditional ruler for over 25 years, but today, you are celebrating one after overcoming all past challenges.

“I want you to look at the back, take stock and look for way 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.”

The governor, who warned against unwarranted internal strife and acrimony in the town, appealed to other contestants to “partner with the new traditional ruler to rev up the pedal of unity and development and create a vista of recognition for Oke Ako among the comity of towns in Ekiti”. 

The governor said the long drawn legal battles that accompanied the selection process caused a major impediment that prevented government from exercising the statutory and legal procedures that could speed up the enthronement of a new monarch since the demise of Oba Omotayo Ogunbiyi, from the Okediosan Ruling House, on December 10, 2000.

He praised the Regent, Princess Tinuade Ogunbiyi-Adebayo, who presided over the community for over 25 years as well the people of the town for always identifying with progressive leadership, urging them to bring such spirit to bear in working with the new monarch to attract development to Oke Ako.

The governor stated, “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. Kindly do all within your powers to cooperate with him for the benefit of all of you.”

Oba Oni, in his acceptance speech, lauded the state government, kingmakers and royal families on the installation of a new monarch after the interregnum, promising to work hard and justify the confidence reposed in him.

Commending the effort of the governor, the monarch stated, “I must acknowledge you specifically. 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. I am personally grateful.”

Oba Oni assured the people that he would work assiduously to unite and develop the community, by partnering with all stakeholders, regardless of past grievances to lift the town out of underdevelopment to a pedestal of economic, political and social prosperity.

He said, “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. 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, explained that the process that produced the new monarch was undertaken with full fidelity to the state Chiefs Law, and in compliance with the culture, customs and traditions of Oke Ako town.

Atibioke stated, “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. The opportunity before Oke Ako now is to put years of uncertainty behind and build a future in which the palace becomes the centre of unity and development.”