Nigeria Content Online

The
Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade, at the weekend, called on Yoruba leaders
to be united, despite their different political affiliations, for the
purpose of accelerating the development of the region.

The monarch, who
made the call in Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area of Ondo State,
during the coronation of Obateru Akinruntan as the Olugbo of Ugboland,
said the region could not but remain relevant in the scheme of things
in the country.

Accompanied by
other 23 traditional rulers from across Yoruba land, Mr. Sijuwade said
the people of the southwest would maintain their leadership position in
the country if traditional rulers play their roles well to earn the
respect of the subjects.

“It is necessary
for traditional rulers and the people to be united and allow peace to
reign, so that the Yoruba race will continue to witness a robust human
and infrastructural development,” Mr. Sijuwade, who was the chairman of
the occasion, said.

While appealing to
the people of Ugboland to support the new monarch, the Ooni tasked Mr.
Akinrutan to make use of his wisdom and God given wealth to develop the
riverside community under his jurisdiction.

Ondo State
governor, Olusegun Mimiko, said the development of the oil-rich Ilaje
area of the state could only be achieved if all ethnic nationalities in
the area work in harmony.

Develop Ilaje communities

The governor also challenged the new monarch to ensure that all the communities in Ilaje live in peace and harmony.

“I want to urge Oba
Akinruntan to bring the Mahins, Aheris, Etikans, and the Ugbos in Ilaje
together for the collective benefit of the people,” he said.

He pledged that the
state government would continue to provide an enabling environment that
would encourage the people of the state contribute to the development
of their communities.

The head of Ojadele
ruling house, Roberts Nana, said the coronation was a celebration of
victory over some people that wanted to lord themselves over Ugboland.

Mr. Akinruntan said
his emergence as the monarch had been predicted 28 years ago by a
frontline prophet in the area, whom he said told him that he would be
inaugurated as a monarch with anointing oil, and not with the
traditional “Akoko” leaves.

Also in attendance
at the ceremony were the Oyo State deputy governor, Taofeek Arapaja;
his counterpart in Ondo, Ali Olanusi; Speaker of the state House of
Assembly, Samuel Adesina, and Folashade Bent, a senator, who was
conferred with a traditional title.