President Bola Tinubu has commended Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom for the giant strides recorded in Ondo Kingdom in terms of infrastructure and human capital development.
Tinubu gave the commendation on Sunday during the 70th birthday service of Kiladejo in Ondo.
The celebration was held at the Diocese of Ondo (Anglican Communion) Cathedral Church of St. Stephen in Ondo Town.
The president, who was represented by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, said the last 17 years of Oba Victor Kiladejo had been very peaceful in Ondo.
He urged everyone to keep supporting the traditional ruler in ensuring that there was peace and security while the kingdom continued to develop.
“All I can wish is that this should continue and probably get better under the leadership of kabiyesi as he continues to lead us in the right direction,” he said.
In a sermon, Bishop George Lasebikan, retired Arch. Bishop of Ondo Diocese, urged the traditional ruler to always have a repentant attitude and be subordinate to God.
Lasebikan said anyone in a position of leadership needed to be aware that others, who were not leaders, were also human beings.
The bishop also urged the king to be happy and free himself from every inhibition like King David who was so happy that he forgot himself and danced before the lord due to the recovery of the ark.
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Lasebikan also read a congratulatory message by Tinubu, who emphasised that the Federal Government noted the support of the institutions, programmes and government officials to the community over the years.
The president appreciated the commitment to extending the frontiers of development engagements which were coordinated in the traditional ruler’s domain, and his subjects both at home and abroad in the past years.
Tinubu recalled almost two decades ago when the Kabiyesi pulled out of his very successful private medical practice in Lagos to ascend the throne as the Osemawe.
“It is evident that 17 years on, your imperial majesty has filled that expansive office admirably.
“This proves that the kingmakers of Ondo, obviously operating under divine inspiration, did not make a mistake in their unanimous choice of you as the next Osemawe in 2006.
“Today, no one needs to go too far to encounter the evidence of your impactful reign over the Ondo Ekimogun people. They are visible all over the community, and touch practically all aspects of human endeavour.
“On a personal note, let me, once again, express my appreciation to you for the two letters of congratulations you so graciously sent to me upon my victory at the February polls, and later, my subsequent inauguration as President.
“I pray that the years ahead turn out to be much more remarkable for you, your immediate family, and the good people of Ondo Kingdom, whom you have led so admirably.”
Also, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, in a congratulatory message also read by Lasebikan, said Ondo city had continued to witness unprecedented development and unmatched peace in the last 17 years.
Akeredolu also said it was on record that the Osemawe provided an unparalleled leadership when he was the chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas.
“Let me appreciate you, sir, for the good relationship between kabiyesi and our government.
“Your counsel to our government from time to time has been found very invaluable and development focused,” he said.
Responding, Kiladejo appreciated Tinubu for the honour of his representation, and commended him for appointing Tunji-Ojo as one of his ministers, whom he described as an outstanding performer since he assumed office.
“I am a child of destiny. My siblings all agreed that I should be the king when it was our turn.
“I would rather say that the style of upbringing given to by our father was responsible for the great love among us his children,” he said.
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