Ogun Council of Obas gets new Chairman

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has inaugurated the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as the new Chairman of the state’s Council of Obas.
Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Amosun commended the traditional rulers for their complementary roles in the rebuilding mission of his administration.
Olugbenle succeeds the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, who died in July at the age of 90.
The Chairmanship of the Council of Obas in Ogun State is being rotated among the four paramount rulers in the state.
They are the Akarigbo of Remoland, the Awujale of Ijebuland, the Alake of Egbaland and the Olu of Yewaland.
Amosun explained that the inauguration was delayed because of the inability of the government to fulfill some of the welfare programmes it had promised to the traditional rulers.
He, however, gave assurance that government had concluded arrangements to increase the monthly grants of the monarchs as from November.
Amosun said: “We appreciate you for your roles as custodians of our rich cultural heritage and important catalysts and stimulants of socio-economic development in your respective communities.”
He also commended them for the roles they played in the creation of the 37 new Local Council Development Areas in addition to the existing 20 local governments in the state.
Amosun, however, urged them to extend necessary support to the newly sworn-in chairmen of the council areas as parts of efforts to fast-track development at the grassroots.
The governor, who disclosed that various developmental projects would commence soon across the state, urged the monarchs to act as catalysts for transformation.
Amosun also stated: “Many investors will soon be coming into our state to embark on laudable projects for development.
“They will be requiring your support in the area of access to land and I hereby
urge you not to place too much demands on them so as not to discourage them.”
He also appealed to them to assist in the preservation of government property in their respective domains.
The governor also urged the monarchs to prevail on the civil servants in their communities to demonstrate understanding in the light of the harsh economic realities being experienced in the country.
Responding, Olugbenle pledged the support of the traditional rulers for “the ongoing mission to re-build Ogun”.
He solicited the cooperation of past chairmen of the council for a successful tenure.
The monarch also called on the governor to immortalise his predecessor, Sonariwo.