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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.