My respectable, reliable and responsible Obas to wit; I welcome you all. All protocol observed.
It gladdens my heart to be here today, and I am highly delighted to be among you on this auspicious occasion of the general meeting of the entire Obas in Ondo State, under the umbrella of “De 130 Krowns Club”. All Glory be to God Almighty.
I thank you for honouring me with the hosting of this meeting, which is taking place at my humble palace, and being a prominent Oba in the state, I did not take this for granted. More importantly, for recognizing the position of Igbara-Oke, being the Headquarters of Ifedore Local Government Area, and the stool of Olowa of Igbara-Oke kingdom. I cannot, but thank the entire members of De 130 Krowns Club.
I want to also welcome you all to Igbara-Oke kingdom, a land of peace, unity, love and harmony. A land that is viable for industrial and infrastructural development. I want to let you know that Igbara-Oke has 13 Satellites towns that are being headed by Baales. All these towns are socially and economically viable. Igbara-Oke is also a town that shares border with two states in Nigeria, Osun and Ekiti, an entry point into Ondo State when coming from either Osun or Ekiti State.
Let me first acknowledge your efforts at upholding the traditions of our forefathers at your various domains, and to commend you also for the peaceful coexistence of your subjects both the indigenes and non-indigenes residents at your domains.
Our gathering here today shows that there is love and unity among the Yoruba Obas, especially the ones in Ondo State. This is the fact that our forefathers migrated from the same source, the origin of the largest black people in the world, and the scion of the Yoruba race, Ile-Ife. Despite our different locations, we still uphold the tradition and cultural heritage of our forefathers, and imbibe the spirit of love, oneness which engenders continuous growth of our race.
I want to commend the initiator of this gathering and for the naming of “De 130 Krowns Club” that was designed to give a uniform voice for the unheard traditional rulers in the state. I believe this would help every Oba in this assembly to express themselves in the comity of traditional rulers in our dear Sunshine State.
Even if I have not had the opportunity to be present at your gathering at all times, I want to assure you that I am well briefed of your various efforts towards the development of our traditional institution, and the upholding of our cultural heritage.
We are always unique at doing things and the best way to make a mark and prove our points is to continue to be one in heart and voice. Without wasting much of our time, I want to let us know that one of the things that will help us in this present administration is unity. There is no two ways to unity if we want our voice to be heard. As we all know, we need a voice to present our course to the government and the people for them to hear us out on what we stand for and our goal as members of De 130 Krown Obas.
It has always been my joy to see our Obas coming together to champion a common course for the development of our land and for the upliftment of our good people. There is no doubt; upliftment of our people will bring development to our land.
Also, I want us to know that the present administration, under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, accords respect to the traditional rulers in the state, he sees us as the custodian of culture and traditions, and he respects that. He is a man that believes in the roles of traditional rulers in maintaining peace, unity and harmony at our various domain, because he knew we are closer to the people, that is why he always commend and appreciate the traditional rulers at all times, especially at every state function that concerns the Traditional Rulers.
One of the ways to compliment his efforts at developing our dear Ondo State and the traditional institutions is to support him and continue to pray for his success.
Although, I was not at the Meeting between the Governor and the Obas in State organized by the state government, but I was well briefed on the activities and the position of the state concerning the yearnings of our traditional rulers in the state as regards Security, herdsman rampage, Incentives for Monarchs, Grading of Obas, among other issues discussed.
I know the importance of today’s meeting, and I want to charge us to continue in the spirit of unity and cooperation which I believe would help bring development to our various communities. Also, I want to implore us to partner with the government on the pathway to help bring development to our dear Sunshine State, and improve the welfare of our traditional rulers and the institutions.
Once again, I commend you all and wish everyone a wonderful deliberation.
Thank you.
His Royal Majesty,
Oba (Dr.) Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, FCIM, MBCIM
Ilufemiloye, Ogidi III
Paramount Ruler and Prescribed Authority,
Olowa of Igbara-Oke kingdom