Gov meets party elders as Osun PDP moves to reconcile aggrieved members
In recognition of the traditional rulers, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has unveiled an integrated support package for the Council of Obas as a pillar of the people’s government.
Adeleke, who disclosed this, yesterday, during the second strategic consultative meeting with the royal fathers, listened attentively to the suggestions and submissions of the monarchs under the leadership of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, before unveiling his plan for the state’s Council of Obas.
The governor said his team had prioritised royal institutions first as service delivery is best facilitated by royal fathers. Adeleke also disclosed that despite the harsh state of finance, his administration had crafted a support package for the traditional rulers, which is already under implementation, saying: “Our administration will continue to support our kings for the successful hosting of their town days. We will work on a public-private partnership for town development through town day celebration.
“Medical support for our fathers will also be expanded. We will look into the possibility of health insurance enrolment as we did for pensioners in the state.
“We have already increased the sitting allowances of our monarchs. This has taken effect statewide.
“We are addressing the issue of new cars for our traditional rulers with all sense of seriousness. Gradually, we will be satisfying this genuine aspiration of our fathers in this respect.
“It is, however, my singular honour to announce that within the first tenure of our administration, we will build a befitting Council of Obas Secretariat in the state. This will be fully equipped to fully recognise our fathers as a pillar of people’s government.”
The governor promised to tackle controversies over elevation of Obas, review of Obaship laws, release of white papers on some kingship stools and the role of royal fathers in state governance.
IN another development, Adeleke, in a bid to strengthen the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, has met with top elders of the party and promised “a new PDP where all members would have a sense of belonging for collective success.”
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, yesterday, disclosed that top elders of the party were present at the series of strategic meetings held on Tuesday night. Rasheed said members of the party’s Board of Trustees and other critical leaders of government and the party were at the meetings.
