Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday, presented instruments of appointment and staff of office to two new monarchs in the state’s southern senatorial district.
The monarchs, Oba Hosea Fonghon, the new Takunbe of Ipoke in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, and Oba Akinyomi John, the Laragunsin of Ode-Iyansan in Irele Local Government Area, received their instruments of appointment at separate ceremonies.
Represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, the governor urged the monarchs to consider their ascension to the throne as a divine call to serve and uplift their communities.
“Let me remind you that your ascension to the throne is a divine call to serve your people. The interest of the community should be placed above personal interests. The emergence of the new kings is the will of the Almighty God for your towns at this moment,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He called on the monarchs to exercise caution in their use of traditional authority and urged contenders and their supporters to accept the outcome of the selection process, rallying around the new rulers to foster peace and unity in their communities.
The governor commended the role of monarchs in maintaining security at the grassroots level, encouraging them to continue collaborating with security agencies to sustain law and order.
Aiyedatiwa also expressed gratitude to the people for their overwhelming support in the 2024 governorship election, while urging active and peaceful participation in Saturday’s local government elections.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oladele Adesanmi, lauded the governor for upholding the integrity of the selection process. He affirmed that the new monarchs met all the provisions of the Chieftaincy Declaration and the extant laws of Ondo State.
The monarchs, in their responses, pledged to foster peace, unity, and equitable development in their respective domains. They thanked the governor for adhering to due process in their appointments.
— John Paul Akinduro, Press Secretary to the Governor (Office of the Deputy Governor).
