Makinde installed 10 kings, 40 Baales, says Oyo govt

The Oyo State Government has commenced the payment of gratuity benefits to retirees via the digital platform

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, yesterday, claimed that the Seyi Makinde administration had installed more traditional rulers than any other administration either in the old or new Oyo State.

Oyelade, who spoke at the third Ogbomoso Digital Economy Summit held at the Great Hall, Ladoke Akintola University, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, maintained that since 2019, Governor Makinde has installed 10 kings and 40 Baales.

At the event attended by the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, Orumọgẹgẹ III, Oyelade said the relationship between the government and the traditional institution has been cordial.

The commissioner said while the government needs the traditional rulers to assist in consolidating its policies and activities at the grassroots, the state law that governs the existence and emergence of traditional rulers is tilted in favour of the state government, thus, monarchs, who want to accelerate development in their communities, must find a synergy.

Identifying the symbiotic relationship between government and traditional institutions, Oyelade, urged the Soun to further prioritise a functional relationship with the government to actualise a sustainable development of the kingdom.

The commissioner lauded Oba Ghandi for his determination to pursue an informed and aggressive developmental project that is defined within 25 years for Ogbomoso . He praised the king for reigniting the patriotic zeal of the citizens to take part in the revolutionary development of the land.

Acknowledging the potential impact that the summit would have on Ogbomoso land, the Soun reiterated the need to reposition the kingdom to unlock the potential of the people and transform the land into a hub of excellence in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, tourism and commerce.

He expressed his resolve to make Ogbomoso the Silicon Valley of Africa. Oba Ghandi disclosed that his 25-year developmental project would empower industries, generate employment and improve the quality of life for residents of Ogbomoso.