President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborate with traditional rulers across the country to improve security and ensure peace in their local communities in order to bring unprecedented development.
Tinubu, who stated this during the 70th birthday celebration of Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, held at the Diocese of Ondo (Anglican Communion) Cathedral Church of St. Stephen in Ondo city, said the collaboration became necessary for peace and tranquillity to reign across the country.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that the last 17 years reign of Oba Kiladejo in Ondo kingdom has been very peaceful, saying the monarch has been enjoying the support of the people of the ancient town.
He commended the Ondo monarch for the giant strides recorded in in terms of infrastructural and human capital development.
Tinubu urged everyone to continue supporting the traditional ruler in ensuring that there was peace and security while the kingdom continued to develop.
Tinubu recalled almost two decades ago when the Kabiyesi pulled out of his very successful private medical practice in Lagos.
“You pulled out to mount the throne of your forefathers, as the Ose awe and Paramount Ruler of the Ondo Kingdom.
“It is evident that 17 years on, your imperial majesty has filled that expansive office admirable, thus proving that the kingmaker of Ondo, obviously operating under divine inspiration, did not make a mistake in their unanimous choice of you as the next Osemawe in 2006.
“Today, no one needs to go too far to encounter the evidence of your impactful reign over the Ondo Ekimogun people. They are visible all over the community, and touch practically all aspects of human endeavor.
“On a personal note, let me, once again, express my appreciation to you for the two letters of congratulations you so graciously sent to me upon my victory at the February polls, and later, my subsequent inauguration as President.
“I pray that the years ahead turn out to be much more remarkable, for you, your immediate family, and the good people of Ondo Kingdom, whom you have led so admirably, these past 17 years. May your reign continue to be fruitful and prosperous,” he said.
“All I can wish is that this should continue and probably get better under the leadership of kabiyesi as he continues to lead us in the right direction,” he said.
He, however, promised to support constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country, noting that the National Assembly was in the best position to work on it.
The president appreciated the commitment to extending the frontiers of development engagements which were coordinated in the traditional rulers domain, and his subjects both at home and abroad in the past years.
The state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, in his congratulatory message, said the Ondo monarch’s counsel to his administration has been found invaluable and development focused.
“It is our earnest prayer that your Majesty will continue to enjoy good health and divine wisdom in providing the much needed leadership for Ondo Kingdom and Ondo State in general.
“It is my great pleasure to join other numerous Nigerians in wishing your Majesty many more years of fruitful service to mankind,” he said.
Oba Kiladejo, who appreciated Tinubu for the honour by attending his 70th birthday and 17th anniversary on the throne, commended the president for appointing Tunji-Ojo as one of his ministers, who he described as an outstanding performer.
He said: “I am a child of destiny. My siblings all agreed that I should be the king when it was our turn. I would rather say that the style of upbringing given to by our father was responsible for the great love among us his children.
“When we were growing up, we all are from the same bowl and the soup is put in the same plate. Our father said he wanted all of us to be swallowing one another’s saliva.That’s his style of raising his children and this really paid off.”
Some traditional rulers present at the Thanksgiving services include; Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, and several monarchs present.
. TheWitness
