The Ondo State Executive Council under direct orders from State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has finally approved the selection of Prince Olugbenga Ojo as the new Oba of Iralepo Isinkan in the Akure South Local Government Area of the state.
The express approval was contained in a letter which was signed by the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, on Friday in Akure.
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Meanwhile, the people of Isinkan have hailed the approval of Ojo as the new oba of the town, describing it as “a round peg in a round hole.”
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the approval, Prince Durojaye Ariyo, the Olori Omo Owa of Isinkan, described the approval of Ojo by the state government as “unprecedented”.
Ariyo had also mentioned that the development was made possible through the understanding and good relationships among the people of the town.
He commended the state executive council for standing with justice. Ojo, a lawyer, is the 38th Iralepo of Isinkan.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had previously charged some of the traditional rulers in the state to employ the use of hunters and vigilantees to rid the forests around them of criminals and other miscreants as part of efforts to curb crimes and criminality in the state.
Governor Akeredolu made this decree known when he received the members of Ondo State Council of Obas who was led by their chairman and Deji of Akure kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi who actually came for a condolence visit over the Owo terror attack in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday.
The Governor, while appreciating the condolence visit, urged the traditional rulers to join hands with the government to fight crimes and criminals who have invaded Ondo forests. He advised the monarchs to gather their hunters and rid the forests around them of criminals.
“I want to appreciate you. I read your visit to your brother, the Olowo of Owo. I thank you for the visit to Owo. If one has visited the church, one will weep. Those who came have one singular purpose. To kill and to maim.
“No doubt, we have never witnessed such horrendous thing in the Southwest before. We have come to Nigeria in peace, but they are bringing war to us. We are facing Fulani herdsmen which are destroying our farms. We also have Boko Haram who are also involved in banditry and killing. And now, what they called ISWAP. We will beef up our security.
“This is something so horrible. And it is not something that should be treated with kid gloves. We are for Nigeria. We are for restructuring, we are for state police. These marauders, we are going to pursue them. We need your help. We need your assistance. Make the forest around you safe,” the Governor said.