The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given the new Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde, a staff of office, and urged the royal father to bring the town together.
Oba Makinde became the new Owa of Igbajo after Oba Adegboyega Famoodun was removed from the position. Famoodun was appointed Owa of Igbajo by the administration of the previous governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday, November 25, 2022.
Famoodun, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state; the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Akadiri, and the former Aree of Iree, Oba Raphael Oluponle, were instructed to leave their palaces by Adeleke shortly after he was sworn in as governor on November 27, 2022.
Acting on the recommendations of the panel that investigated complaints against decisions of the Oyetola administration regarding chieftaincy matters, Adeleke invalidated the processes that led to the emergence of Famoodun and Oluponle as Owa of Igbajo and Aree of Iree, respectively. The government issued a White Paper calling for a new process to choose new monarchs for the towns.
Following the refusal of kingmakers to start a fresh process, Makinde's selection as the new Owa of Igbajo was approved by the State Executive Council at its meeting on March 11 after warrant chiefs appointed by the local authority appointed him.
During the event held at the premises of Owa of Igbajo Palace on Wednesday, Adeleke presented the new monarch with his staff of office and instruments of appointment. He urged the monarch to prioritize the growth and development of his town and the state, and encouraged him to rally his subjects to contribute to the state's development.
Adeleke also urged the town's indigenes to live peacefully with their neighbors and to fulfill their tax obligations to the state.
“The government expects your maximum cooperation and support. Government expects you to live in peace and harmony with your neighbours.
“Government expects you to pay your taxes and levies as and when due. Government expects you to be good citizens of your community,” the governor stated.
