By Julius Alabi, Akure
Okeagbe, the headquarters of Akoko North West Local government area of Ondo was bustling with excitement on Thursday as it welcomed Oba Mofolorunso Samuel Adegboyega Arasanyin, Okeladeokin Arole Agba 1 as the Ajana Afa of Okeagbe Akoko
The State Governor. Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa made the presentation around 1:45 pm on Thursday during a ceremony at the frontage of Ajana Afa Palace in Okeagbe.
While congratulating the people of the community on the peaceful selection of their new monarch, the Governor noted the historical importance of the Ajana stool, which became vacant following the passing of Oba Oladunjoye Fajana in February 2023.
“I commend the kingmakers for their sincere and invaluable roles in the emergence of the new monarch. This demonstrates their commitment to the welfare and development of Afa, Oke-Agbe.
“While we strive to promote and enhance the position of our traditional rulers, it is expected that the government’s efforts will be reciprocated through actions that support and complement our initiatives.”
Aiyedatiwa however urged the new Ajana, Oba Mofolorunso Arasanyin to use his position to foster unity, peace, and development within his domain.
He underscored the significance of traditional institutions in mobilizing communities for positive development.
He noted that his administration is going into a partnership with the World Bank to build facilities in 203 wards of the State to support primary healthcare delivery to the people at the grassroots.
According to him, the World Bank-sponsored project, which has the counterpart funding from the state government, will take healthcare delivery closer to rural dwellers and reduce pressure on secondary and tertiary
“The new facilities in the 203 wards will complement the primary health centres across the 18 local government areas of the State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa added that the funds needed for the project have been deployed and contractors being assembled for the implementation stage.
This, he said, is in addition to other efforts to improve the health sector including the ongoing recruitment of health workers.
The Governor also reeled out some of the efforts of his administration including ongoing recruitment of teachers, support for farmers, enhancing security, improving infrastructure and promoting the welfare of workers.
In his response, the newly installed Ajana Afa of Okeagbe, Oba Mofolorunso Samuel Adegboyega Arasanyin, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the governor and the State Executive Council for their support for his appointment as a “Grade A” Oba (First Class Monarch)
He described the appointment as a significant achievement and pledged to work collaboratively with the community to harness its cultural, social, and economic potentials.
“May I also use this opportunity to inform His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa about our forthcoming Okeagbe Akoko Community Centenary Anniversary, this monumental event will come up on 30th November, 2024”, he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, noted that the coronation ceremony was expedited due to the prompt and decisive actions of Governor Aiyedatiwa, whose intervention played a crucial role in the process.
In his goodwill message, Otunba Solomon Oladunni, the Asiwaju of Oke-Agbe, tthanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support in the selection process and its successful outcome, promising that the people of the community would mobilise and vote for the Governor in the coming election.
Otunba Oladunni and the Chairman of the Governing Council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, later hosted the Governor and his entourage to reception at their private residences at Okeagbe
