The Oyo State government has expressed its readiness to adopt the recommendations and suggestions of traditional rulers in the state in its bid to review and enhance the efficiency of Oyo state Council of Obas.

The government gave the assurance on Friday during a meeting with traditional rulers from across the state which was held at the House of Chiefs, House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde who was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Bayo Lawal said the government is bothered with the redundant nature of the Council for over a decade.

He said since the Council of Obas law was reviewed and gazetted by the late Adebayo Alao-Akala government in 2011, not much has been done by the Council as it has remained rocked by leadership crisis.

He added that, the current administration understood the importance of harnessing the potentials of the monarchs, as important stakeholders in the development of the state.

The traditional rulers at the meeting were from the five zones of the state namely: Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun, Oyo and Ibarapa.

Some of the monarchs in attendance include: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Laoye, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Rafiu Oyebola; Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi; Olugbon of Ile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, Onpetu of Ijero and Oba Sunday Oyediran among others.

Speaking shortly after a closed door session with the traditional rulers, the government said the government is open to a review and reconstitution of the council to be more inclusive and aligned with the present situation for proper functioning and effectiveness.

Noting that traditional rulers are co-partners in the development process and betterment of the state, the governor said the amendment act that backed the establishment of the council were last used during Christopher Alao-Akala’s regime.

Makinde said “We have engaged the monarchs in consultative activities relating to the Council of Oba’s and Chiefs in Oyo State. Recall that this council has not been functioning as required by law and it has become a source of worry for the government of Oyo State.

“The governor in his wisdom has decided to do something about it in such a way that the council becomes functional again. Since 2011, this council has not sat for once, and you recall that our royal fathers are custodians of culture in various local government areas and zones of Oyo State.

“Therefore, government with a view to reconstitute the council calls for ideas, suggestions and recommendations from our royal fathers in a manner that will promote stability in the council and promote development in Oyo State
“We have received observations and suggestions from the five geopolitical zones of the state, Ibadan zone, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones. We have received very profound and useful suggestions that will make the government do necessary amendments to the Chiefs law of Oyo State.

“This is our discussion until proper reports are made, those suggestions from our Kabiyiesi will be treated with confidentiality by the government of Oyo State until we are able to come up with agreed resolutions by both the royal fathers and government of Oyo State. As we are now, those suggestions and recommendations remain as they are now.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the traditional rulers to seek common ground and embrace unity, respect, and mutual understanding in the efforts to reconstitute the Council.

He added that it will take collaborative efforts of the state government and the council to stamp out menace of land grabbing, kidnapping, banditry and illegal mining that has been bedeviling society.

Speaking with reporters, the Chairman House Committee of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akintunde Olajide said the lawmakers are ready to work with the executive arm of government for the needed legislative framework to restore life and enhance the efficiency of the Council of Obas.
Other top government functionaries at the meeting were: Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, Executive Assistant (Security) to the Governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd), Chairman House Committee of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akintunde Olajide among others.