Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has urged traditional rulers in the state to close ranks and saying that their unity would ensure rapid development of their respective communities and the state in general.
Governor Oyebanji who stated this on Tuesday, when he addressed the Obas at the meeting of Council of Traditional Rulers held at the Council Chamber, Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, affirmed that if the state would witness massive development, there must be unity among the traditional rulers, who he described as the “representatives of God”.
“I have a request to you my fathers, I plead for unity among our traditional rulers.
“I am too small to tell you what to do but God will guide you, I just plead for total unity among you. My joy is to see all of you united. I was happy when I came here this morning and I met everybody here, I am happy and I appreciate you for this. This is the spirit of Ekiti parapo’ the Governor said.
While expressing his appreciation to the monarchs for their support for his administration so far, Governor Oyebanji restated his commitment to their welfare, stressing that their wellbeing will be of paramount interest to the administration.
“I am guided by three things whenever I appear before you. We made a covenant and I said that as your son I will respect you, I will reference you and your welfare will be a thing of priority. That was what I said before election and God helping me, I will remain committed to that,” Oyebanji said.
The Governor who directed that the outstanding allowance of the monarchs be paid to them immediately, also informed them of government’s plans to start a mobile clinic that would focus on health care of the traditional rulers and their subjects.
The Governor also tasked the traditional rulers on security in their respective domains, adding that government would provide necessary support to ensure safety and security of lives and properties across the state.
Oyebanji who was accompanied to the meeting by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye and the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, also canvassed the support of the traditional rulers for the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others Assembly Candidates of the party at the coming elections.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers and Onisan of Isan Ekiti, HRM Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon, appreciated the Governor for his humility and respect for the traditional rulers.
He listed the challenges of the traditional rulers to include welfare, traditional council chamber, security, and welfare of palace staffs among others.
The traditional rulers offered prayers for the Governor and his administration. The Owa Ooye of Oke Imesi, HRM Oba Micheal Gbadebo Adedeji, described the Governor as an epitome of ‘Omoluabi Ekiti’ and prayed for more wisdom for him.
The Governor, in company with the Deputy Governor, SSG and the Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, later visited the Press Centre of the Correspondents Chapel, within the complex, shortly after the meeting, where he promised to improve the welfare of journalists in the state.
