Against the backdrop of his administration’s determination to expand the economy of Oyo State through solid mineral development, Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has called on traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun to collaborate with the government in its effort to protect the mining communities.
The governor stated this on Thursday, during the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the 30th Aseyin of Iseyinland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola, Adeyeri III, Ajirotutu I, held at the Iseyin District Grammar School, Iseyin.
Governor Makinde, who stressed that the current regime in mining within the state must change so that host communities and the state can derive value from mineral resources, said: “A few weeks ago, I signed the Executive Order No 1 of 2023 and it deals with protecting the mining communities. The Kabiyesi and community leaders used to sign documents for the miners but this has to change.
“The Order is to protect the mining communities and ensure that the miners give to the communities and the state what is due to us. Right now, our resources are being carted away with nothing coming back to us and the Order will stop that.”
He equally appreciated the people of Iseyin for their massive support during the March 18, 2023 general election, just as he commended the people of Iseyin for their support in making the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, located in their domain, a reality.
He thereafter named the entrance road into the campus “Aseyin Road.”
Speaking on how the emergence of the new Aseyin was smooth and seamless, the governor hailed the kingmakers in the community for being good custodians of tradition, stating that they upheld the tradition and did not allow themselves to be influenced.
“I am happy to be here for the coronation of the 30th Aseyin of Iseyinland. 30 is a unique number. Today is a happy day for us and the gathering is a victory for the sons and daughters of Iseyinland as well as our traditional system.
“The new Aseyin never came to me; he did not lobby me before he was appointed, and I did not hear that the kingmakers collected money to back him for the throne.
“In terms of age, Kabiyesi could be young but he is now our father. So, on behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, I want to wish Kabiyesi a long, peaceful and successful reign,” he said.
The governor equally noted that there are quite a number of areas of economic focus around Iseyin, including the Ikere Gorge Dam, to which, according to him, the state government will construct an access road to facilitate investors’ interest in the power generation setup in the axis.
Making his first official speech after receiving the staff and instrument of office, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Oyebola, thanked the governor, declaring that it is a new dawn in Iseyin.
He noted that his rulership would hinge on three cardinal points of peace, unity and prosperity, saying: “I wish to express my readiness to make the best use of this opportunity to serve not only my subjects but the generality of our people in Oke-Ogun as a whole.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, charged the new Aseyin of Iseyin to be alive to his traditional responsibilities, while also urging the people of Iseyin to support and cooperate with the Oyo State Government to deliver on its Roadmap for Sustainable Development.
Some of the dignitaries present at the event are former deputy governors of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, Chief Iyiola Oladokun and Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, the Senator representing Oyo North, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly and other government functionaries.
The event was also witnessed by traditional rulers from within and outside the state, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, who were both represented, as well as the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Oladapo Oyediran, among others.