Oyo Set To Make Council Of Obas Functional, 13 Years After Lull

By Ayodele Oni

Better living condition beckons on traditional rulers in Oyo state as Governor ‘Seyi Makinde expressed the readiness of his administration to fully resolve issues and make the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs functional again.

This is coming almost after 13 years the Obas’ council has been in the cooler.

The governor, who spoke in Ibadan at a meeting with royal fathers,  stated that it has become imperative to restore the body.

He noted that it has become expedient to resolve all issues so that the council could contribute its quota to the development of the state in its official capacity.

The governor pointed out that though the Makinde-led government has involved the traditional institution in the state in different activities and policies of government, the state council of Obas and Chiefs has been unable to meet officially since 2011.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Bayo Lawal, revealed that the administration has, in a bid to reconstitute and restore the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, earlier called for recommendations and suggestions from the members of the council.

He added that the government has received recommendations and suggestions from all the geopolitical zones of the state and that it would go ahead to treat the same with all the seriousness and confidentiality they deserved.

“We have engaged the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State.

“Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State.

“The governor, in his wisdom, has decided to do something about it in such a way that the council becomes functional again.

“Since 2011, this council has not sat for once, and you recall that our royal fathers are custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of Oyo State.

“Therefore, the government, to reconstitute the council, called for ideas, suggestions, and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the council and promote development in Oyo State.

“We have received observations and suggestions from the five geopolitical zones of the state, Ibadan zone, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, and Oke-Ogun zones.

“We have received very profound and useful suggestions that will make the government make necessary amendments to the Chiefs law of Oyo State.

“This is our discussion until proper reports are made. Those suggestions from our Kabiyesi will be treated with confidentiality by the government of Oyo State until we can come up with agreed resolutions by both the royal fathers and the government of Oyo State.

“Those suggestions and recommendations remain as they are now.”

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters,  Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the traditional rulers to seek common ground and embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding in the efforts to reconstitute the council.

He added that it would take the collaborative efforts of the state government and the council to stamp out criminal activities, including land grabbing, kidnapping, banditry, and illegal mining.