Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, presented staff of office to the newly crowned Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, enjoining him to be accessible, receptive and responsive to the yearnings of the Ijebu Igbo people.

The governor equally urged the monarch to continue to champion all efforts that will enhance peaceful co-existence with other royal fathers within Ijebu Igbo and its environs in order to justify the mandate and trust repose in him by the Ogun State Government.

Abiodun, who stated these in his speech at the coronation ceremony of Oba Adebajo, noted that the ancient town which witnessed 28-year interregnum, would begin to witness upward swing with the installation of the new Orimolusi.

While describing the event as “symbolic testament reflective of the time past and a new beginning in community spirit and selflessness”, the governor expressed optimism that the monarch, with his pedigree, would espouse development of the town.

He congratulated all the sons and daughters of Ijebu-Igbo who had painstaking waited for almost three decades for the new monarch, and the entire people of Ijebuland on the coronation which according to him, has opened a new phase in the traditional lives of Ijebu Igbo people.

Abiodun also commended Prof. Ademola Adedeji-led 11-member kingmakers/warrant chiefs, for carrying out a process that was open, transparent and credible, expressing assurance that the monarch would be guided by the laudable and enviable legacy of honour of all his predecessors.

While noting that “this is the third interregnum the stool of Orimolusi had witnessed; the first one was between 1887-1889, the second happened from 1905-1928 while this one lasted from 1994-2021”, the governor added that “all of us must have learnt one or two things in the intervening period and realize that together we can achieve more.

“For instance, we have learnt that the delay in the appointment and installation of the new Orimolusi was as a result of the differences among the various contestants which led to litigations that started from the High Court and stretched up to the Supreme Court, which delivered judgment in the appeal on 7th May, 2021. I thank God that at the end of the day, the voice of the people is the voice of the Judiciary and God. I also wish to state unequivocally that there is no victor, no vanquished in the entire episodes leading up to this installation. We are all winners. We must do everything possible to put the town’s interest first”, he stated further.

He lauded other contestants to the stool of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and their supporters for proving to be men and women of honour, and accepting the selection of Oba Adebajo as the new Orimolusi, enjoining every indigene and residents of Ijebu-Igbo to embrace peace and co-operate with the new monarch.

“I know that the new Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo possesses the requisite skillsets, experience and exposure required to steer the ship of Ijebu-Igbo. Let us, therefore, see today’s ceremony as an opportunity to come together and move Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebuland, and, by extension, the entire state, towards attaining more socio-economic development.

“Kabiyesi, as a father, you are expected to be accessible, receptive and responsive to the yearnings of your subjects at all times. You are to note Kabiyesi that you should continue to champion all efforts that will enhance peaceful co-existence with other Royal fathers within Ijebu Igbo and its environs in order to justify the mandate and trust repose in you by Ogun State Government. Kabiyesi, by your appointment, you have become a member of the Ijebu Traditional Council and Permanent Member representing Ijebu Traditional Council at the Ogun State Council of Obas. Kabiyesi, I urge you to regard this appointment as a call to greater duty and responsibility. I implore you to extend magnanimity in victory to all and sundry in Ijebu-Igbo and reconcile all contending parties.

“On our part, we have continued and will continue to prioritize the welfare and wellbeing of traditional rulers because they play a pivotal role in the sustaining the rich cultural heritage of our people as they are custodians of our value systems, norms and mores. We consider them indispensable partners in the Building Our Future Together Agenda of our Administration and integral part of our Security Architecture”. Abiodun stated.

The governor, however, expressed worries by the slide in the moral ethos and the palpable mindlessness that accompany the get-rich-syndrome in the society, particularly among the youth, declaring measures would put in place to nip the menace in the bud

“I am always traumatised beyond words when I hear of our youth’s involvement in the spate of killings and dismembering of human beings for ritual purposes. I am particularly scandalized these young ones – teenagers – are being fingered as perpetrators of these dastardly acts. Let me use this opportunity to solicit the support of our Traditional Rulers, Parents, Teachers, Heads of Various Institutions of Learning, Community leaders, Religious leaders and indeed all of us, to always preach and act as a good moral compass and mentors to our children and youths. Money should not be the sole determinant of success. Integrity should count more. But, let me also warn that we shall deal decisively with anyone involved in any heinous crime in accordance with the relevant laws. There is no compromise on this. Ogun State is known over the years for being at the vanguard of ‘Omoluabi’ ethos. I wonder when this malady l became the norm!

“Let me reiterate that our administration has continued and will continue to espouse programmes and policies that engage the youths positively. We are doing everything possible to ensure that Ogun remains a trailblazer in youth development, human capital empowerment, economic growth and prosperity. We are committed to providing necessary technical, logistic and institutional support to security agencies and for our youths to actualize themselves through provision of jobs, creating a conducive environment for them to learn trades and become net employers of labour, as well as other avenues and opportunities to be gainfully and prosperously engaged without resorting to crimes.

“Let our elders, parents and guardians do their own to inculcate the right attitude into their wards to help the moral fibre of our society. We all owe it a duty to stop this scourge by whatever legal means possible. I can assure you that we will fight this menace with everything at our disposal. We will not be identified by this notoriety. Our culture frowns at this and we must bring propriety back into the psyche of the children who we will leave the future behind for. For us, we have emplaced security measures in schools and all the villages, hamlets and towns to ensure zero-tolerance for ritualists. We will trail them, apprehend them, investigate them and make them serve as examples for those harbouring such sinister routes to wealth acquisition”, Abiodun submitted.