PHOTOS: Aiyedatiwa presents staff of office to new Ondo monarchs

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Friday presented the instruments of appointment and staff of office to two kings in the southern senatorial district of Ondo State.

Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor (Office of the Deputy Governor), John Paul Akinduro, in a statement, said the monarchs are Oba Hosea Fonghon, who became the new Takunbe of Ipoke in the Ese-Odo local government area, while Oba Akinyomi John was installed as the Laragunsin of Ode-Iyansan in Irele local government area.

Performing the official ceremonies at the two towns, Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, implored the new kings to consider their installation as a divine call for the upliftment of their people.

“Let me remind you that your ascension to the throne is a divine call to serve your people,” he said. “The interest of the community should be placed above all personal interests, and you should all see the emergence of the new king as the will of the Almighty God for your town at this moment.”

Akinduro said the governor admonished the monarchs to exercise restraint and caution in the use of traditional authority and powers.

Aiyedatiwa also appealed to the other contenders for the stools and their followers to rally behind the new kings and put behind them the rivalry and acrimony that attended the selection process, charging them to cooperate with security operatives in their domains.

“I thank you for the complimentary role you play by working with security agencies at the grassroots to maintain law and order in our state. I urge you to continue in this direction,” the governor said to the monarchs.

While thanking them for the overwhelming support in the 2024 governorship election in the state, he urged the people to participate actively in this Saturday’s local government election and conduct themselves in an orderly manner.

The permanent secretary in the state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Oladele Adesanmi, thanked Aiyedatiwa for sustaining the sanctity of the selection process, adding that the new monarchs fulfilled all the provisions of the Chieftaincy Declaration of their communities and the extant chief laws of Ondo state.

In showing appreciation, the monarchs pledged to bring peace, unity, and equitable development to their towns. They appreciated the state governor for abiding by the laws and coming to make the official presentations.