— wants Tinubu to shift ground on Niger Issue
…. commends Oyebanji’s leadership quality
By Charles Abere
The Traditional Ruler of Isaya-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Matthew Ajayi Elojogun, Okunarabaribi, Apitangbade 1, the Asaya of Isaya Kingdom, has appealed to the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to shift his ground on the current issue in Niger Republic and bury his hatchet.
The monarch made this appeal while addressing journalists at his palace during the just concluded 2023 Odun Ade Ceremony of the town which took place on Saturday, 12th August, 2023.
Describing the President,. Oba Elojogun said President Tinubu has always been a good person. Urging him to proffer permanent solutions to various challenges in Nigeria by keeping to his promise of alleviating the suffering of Nigerians as he explained that challenges of Nigeria are much more than what is happening in Niger Republic.
He advised the President not to allow himself to be surrounded by the looters which has been the problem of his predecessors.
The Traditional Ruler who also described the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji as Omoluabi to the core, prayed that he has good hands to work with especially the commissioners and the advisers, not the looters.
“He has been performing more than expected. He is really surprising us and I know God is helping him. People do ask where does he get the money to do all the things he has been doing?
“He has started well and I pray he ends well. He has just a limited time. We have voted him to spend four years but I expect him to spend two terms for him to serve us more in good faith with God on his side.
Oba Matthew Ajayi used the occasion to call on the State Governor to create both small and medium scale industries in all the local government areas of the State for more people to get employed.
According to the Kabiyesi, “we need Tertiary Institution in Omuo, Kota and Isaya in general. We need good road networks to link our farmsteads so that farm products can be easily transported to the market. We need good market as well. We need electricity. For the past ten years, there hasn’t been electricity in our local government including Gbonyin local government. If there’s electricity, there will be more development, the artisans will be able to do their works. Youth empowerment, if the youths are empowered, the crime rates and delinquencies will be reduced.
Speaking on Odun Ade Ceremony, the traditional ruler said it’s a biannual festival which was inherited from their forefathers at Ife. Saying the day is usually a day to celebrate with his people and offer prayers to God Who has given him, Ade, that is Crown to be the leader of his community.
In his word, “the significance of Odun Ade to Isaya Community apart from appeasing our forefathers, we usually pray to bring good things to our community. We normally celebrate this particular festival immediately after the new yam festival. It’s a sort of remembering the time we left Ife to settle in this community so that it doesn’t go in oblivion.
“Today, we dine and wine together, celebrate and glorify our maker, the God Almighty for given us what we have. The men, women, children, youths and traditionalists will perform their different roles to appease our progenitors for them to remember our being settled here”, said the monarch.
Oba Matthew Ajayi, while advising the people of Isaya community, urged them to come together to form a formidable force so that good things can come to the town. He also urged them to be hardworking, patient and be tolerant to one another. Particularly, he advised the youths to be focused and be good ambassadors of the community. They should fear God in everything they do for them to be successful in life. Asaya added.
Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs in the community, the Alaaye of Isaya-Ekiti, High Chief Idowu Johnson prayed for the Kabiyesi’s long reign and equally advised the entire people of the community to continue in the spirit of peaceful coexistence which they have been known for, so that the community can progress.
The event which brought the illustrious sons and daughters of the community together had in attendance some other traditional rulers from, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi States, who came to celebrate the Odun Ade festival with Kabiyesi Asaya.
Highlight of the occasion was installation of chieftaincy titles and presentation of certificate to some deserving individuals in the community as well as entertainment of guests.