By Popoola Jamiu, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that traditional institutions continue to occupy their rightful place in the governance of the state, even as he urged residents to embrace peace, sacrifice, and unity during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Governor Abiodun gave the assurance during the official installation and presentation of the staff of office to the new Oludotun of Idotun, Oba Adeyemi Opeaye, in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, the governor said the selection of the monarch followed strict due process as prescribed by the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State, 2021, and the 2004 Registered Chieftaincy Declaration of Oludotun of Idotun.
According to him, adherence to the legal frameworks was necessary for the peaceful and continuous development of the community.
Abiodun charged the new monarch to prioritise socio-economic development in his domain by mobilising residents to support government policies and fulfil their civic responsibilities.
“I charge all sons and daughters of the Idotun community to accord the new monarch all required support and cooperation necessary to launch the community to enviable heights among its peers,” he said.
The Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area, Hon. Jamiu Asimi, commended the governor for approving the appointment of the monarch, noting that the traditional institution would overcome its challenges through the support of the people and the leadership qualities of the new monarch.
Also speaking, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, congratulated the newly installed monarch and urged him to promote peace, unity, and tranquility within his domain.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Opeaye expressed gratitude to the governor for demonstrating justice, sincerity, and administrative integrity in recognising and reaffirming the traditional stool of the Idotun kingdom.
He pledged to uphold peace, fairness, and cultural values while calling on indigenes at home and in the diaspora to unite for the development of the community.
Meanwhile, Governor Abiodun has congratulated Muslim faithful in Ogun State and across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, obedience, love, and peaceful coexistence as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.
In his Sallah message, the governor described Eid-el-Kabir as a significant spiritual occasion that teaches humanity the importance of faith, selflessness, tolerance, and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah.
He called on residents of the state to continue to live peacefully irrespective of religious or ethnic differences, stressing that unity and mutual understanding remained critical to the continued progress and development of the state and the nation.
The governor also urged Nigerians to support the initiatives and reforms of the Federal Government, expressing confidence that the policies being implemented would help address the country’s economic challenges and place it on the path of prosperity and stability.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people through sustained investments in infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and economic development under the Building Our Future Together agenda.
He appreciated the support and cooperation of Ogun residents with his administration and prayed that the Eid-el-Kabir celebration would bring peace, joy, and renewed hope to families and the nation at large.