Says empires have given way to new global power structures
Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has been assured of the support of members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs for the newly appointed chairman, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The assurance came from the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, during the governor’s visit to his palace in Orile-Igbon on Friday. Other traditional rulers from Surulere Local Government were also present to receive the governor.
Oba Alao expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for the visit and affirmed that he, alongside other members of the council, fully supports the governor’s decision on the leadership of the council. He said Oba Ladoja would enjoy the cooperation and backing of monarchs across the five zones of the state—Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa.
The monarch, who is the deputy chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the re-inauguration of the council was a necessary step taken by the state government.
“Your Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, we appreciate your visit. The government has done what is needful concerning the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, and we are fully in support of the decision,” he said.
“The council has now been re-inaugurated with His Excellency, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan, as chairman. I want to assure you that we are united as one council across the five zones—Ogbomoso, Ibadan, Oyo, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa. Despite what people may say, we remain one united family.”
In his remarks, Governor Makinde said his visit was informed by recent developments in Oloka, noting that he had already been there to reassure residents that the government would not abandon them. He also pledged that development projects would be evenly distributed across all five local governments in Ogbomoso Zone, while appealing for the cooperation of traditional rulers and residents.
Traditional rulers who accompanied the Olugbon included the Aresapa of Iresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Ajiboye; the Aranyin of Iranyin, Oba Lasisi Olagbemileke; the Olujado of Ijado, Oba Hammed Adegbile; and Iba Abogunde, Tajudeen Aminullahi.
Speaking further in an interview with Newspeakonline, Oba Alao urged traditional institutions to align with contemporary realities, noting that global governance structures have evolved over time.
“The world is dynamic, not static. In the past, empires such as the Roman, French and British dominated the world, but today the United States, Russia and the emerging China are the major global powers,” he said.
“Nigeria does not operate a monarchical system, and I urge all traditional rulers to cooperate with the government of the day. While no government decision is perfect, a deeper understanding of our collective responsibility is required to promote good governance, economic development, security and peaceful coexistence. Modernity has restructured governance in Nigeria.”
Governor Makinde re-inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs on Thursday, appointing the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as chairman for a two-year tenure. The council had been inactive for about 15 years due to prolonged litigation.
