Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has praised traditional rulers in the state for their unflinching support to his administration, pledging that he would continue to accord necessary respect to the traditional institution.
The governor gave the pledge at the weekend while speaking at the formal presentation of a book commemorating the 86th birthday of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III in Ogbomoso.
The book: ‘The Merchant Prince and the Monarch,’ traces the historical development of Ogbomoso from its early beginning in the second half of 7th Century to the modern period.
Ajimobi also promised that royal fathers in the state would not be left to their fate, but that their welfare would be given the deserved attention by his administration.
He said that their support and cooperation had helped tremendously in the discharge of his duties, fulfilment of his electioneering promises and the transformation agenda of his administration.
The governor described the Soun as a quintessential monarch, an accomplish Nigerian and an exceptional entrepreneur as well as an epitome of royalty.
“I find him to be not only a hardworking individual but also a perfectionist,” he remarked.
Ajimobi also noted that Ogbomoso had flourished during the reign of Oba Ajagungbade, stressing that there had been relative peace in the ancient town.
He also stressed that the monarch had contributed immensely to the development and progress of not only the town but also the traditional institution.
In their goodwill messages, the Governors of Ekiti, Osun and Niger States lauded the roles being played by the Soun in the development of Yoruba tradition and national peace.