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AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF
EKITI STATE, DR KAYODE FAYEMI, AT THE
INAUGURATION OF EKITI STATE RE-CONSTITUTED
COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS AT THE LADY
JIBOWU HALL, GOVERNMENT HOUSE ADO-EKITI ON
MONDAY, 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2011
PROTOCOL
I am delighted to welcome you all to the inauguration of the
re-constituted State Council of Traditional Rulers. This event is in
accordance with the provision of section 2, Sub-section 3 of the
Council of Traditional Rulers Law No 3 of year 2000.
Let me start by expressing my appreciation to members of
the dissolved Council under the able Chairmanship of His Royal
Majesty, Oba Adetunji David Ayodele Ajayi, the Arinjale of Ise-
Ekiti for serving the State with a high sense of patriotism during
their two-year tenure. I should specifically want to express hearty
felicitations to the new chairman of council, Oowa – Oye of Oke-
mesi, HRM Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, JP and other members of the
Council. I want to also put on record the expression of brotherly
love among our traditional rulers during the period.
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Membership of the new council has been
painstakingly selected to include twenty five (25) rotational
members in addition to the existing thirty-one (31) permanent
members who will run the affairs of the State Traditional Council
for the next two years.
As I join other well wishers in felicitating with the newly
appointed Council members, I pray that God will continue to
grant you wisdom, good health and discerning spirit to contribute
positively to the development of the State.
By law, the Council is to advise the Governor on any
Chieftaincy matters or any matter of public policy concerning
Traditional Rulers or any other class of Chiefs. It is also
empowered to advise the Governor on any matter relating to
customary laws or cultural affairs, inter-communal relations,
Chieftaincy matters, maintenance of public order within the State
or any part thereof and such matters as the Governor may direct.
I like to seize the opportunity offered by this inauguration
ceremony therefore to appeal to the good people of Ekiti through
your Royal Majesties, to exercise restraint in dragging Chieftaincy
matters to court at every slight instance. Though I hold the
Judiciary in high regard as the bastion of the people, it is
nonetheless very necessary to do all things that would enable us
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avoid the long delay and rancour that are usually
associated with court cases on chieftaincy matters. The series of
avoidable litigations, petitions, insinuations, witch-hunting,
blackmail and the use of diabolical means in these matters need
to stop. In fact, the less prominent role such means plays in the
process of filling the exalted Obaship position, the better it is for
all.
Most importantly, I wish to enjoin the re-constituted Council
members to justify the confidence reposed in them by using their
wealth of experience to assist this Administration in the task of
deepening democracy and development in Ekiti State.
Our administration is determined to eradicate poverty and
fast track the growth of the State through the detailed
implementation of our development roadmap as enshrined in our
8-Point Agenda.
While craving for your full cooperation and support so as to
enable this Government achieve its cardinal objectives, I wish to
implore your Royal Majesties to take further steps by delving into
myriads of issues that can promote socio-economic and political
development of our dear State.
May I emphasise that, as our fathers, you have the enormous
responsibility of maintaining peace in your various domains. It is
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on this firm belief that this Administration has decided
to closely work together with you so that we can continue to
collectively discharge our responsibilities of ensuring the security
of lives and properties of our people.
Your Royal Majesties are also expected to ensure that the
current peaceful atmosphere in the State is sustained. May I say
without equivocation that the Government would do everything
within its powers to maintain law and order in every part of the
State.
Finally this government remains concerned about the
welfare of our royal fathers and has consistently demonstrated
fairness and objectivity in all the steps we have taken affecting all
sectors of our State and segments of our population.
Consequently, the government has decided to review the five
percent allocation to traditional rulers on the basis of fairness,
equity and even-handedness. The Honourable Commissioner for
Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs will release details
appropriately.
Once more, I wish the Chairman and all members of the re-
constituted Traditional Council a happy and successful tenure. I
also pray that the State would witness peace and progress during
your tenure.
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Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now
my pleasure and privilege to inaugurate the Ekiti State Council of
Traditional Rulers to the glory of God and to the benefit of the
good people of Ekiti in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
Thank you all and God bless.
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