By Aderemi Bamgbose
Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the Caretaker Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, has approved the appointment of Oba Gbadebo Bajowa, the Rebuja of Osooroland, as the new Chairman of the Local Government’s Chieftaincy Committee.
Adesanya disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa on Monday.
He said that Oba Bajowa’s appointment was done in compliance with the directive issued by the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The directive was contained in a letter dated May 28 and signed by Mr Segun Odusanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The letter reads: “The Chairman Okitipupa LGA Chieftaincy Committee should henceforth be rotated among the three grade-A Obas for a period of two years.
“Necessary machinery should be put in place to ensure that Oba Faduyile who has been holding the position for a very long time should handover the position to any of the two Grade-A Obas for a period of two years in consonance with the practice across the 18 LGAs in the state.”
According to Adesanya, the directive states that the Chairmanship of Okitipupa LGA Chieftaincy Committee be rotated among the three Grade A traditional monarchs.
“These monarchs include, Abodi of Ikoya, Rebuja of Osooroland and Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, in accordance with the principles established in the extant Chiefs’ Law of (2006) in the state,’’ he said.
The position has hitherto been held by Oba Babatunde Faduyile, the Abodi of Ikoya.
Adesanya congratulated Oba Bajowa, describing the development as the will of God and the reward of his exemplary leadership.
“I urge Oba Bajowa to use his wealth of knowledge as the custodian of cultural and traditional values to reposition the traditional institution to better the lives of Ikale indigenes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oba Bajowa expressed delight at his appointment, saying he returned all glory back to God Almighty.
Bajowa, who was enthroned in Nov. 26, 1977, said the new position would avail him the opportunity to use innovation to move the traditional rulers and the council forward.
“I thank God and the state government and pray that God will grant me the wisdom to use new innovation to move the obas and the council forward,” he said. (NAN)