EKITI INSTALLS 14 TRADITIONAL RULERS UNDER OYEBANJI ADMINISTRATION

The Ekiti Government says it has filled 14 vacant stools with the installation of 14 traditional rulers across the state since Gov. Biodun Oyebanji assumed office in October 2022.

The State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Mr Olaiya Atibioke, disclosed this on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti while featuring on Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today, a live audience participation programme on radio.

Atibioke said three of the 14 monarchs were installed in 2026, including Oba Adewole Oluwatosin Adewale, the Owa of Ayegbaju, who at 32 is Ekiti’s youngest recognised traditional ruler.

He also said Prince Bamidele Oni was installed as the Owa of Oke Ako-Ekiti earlier this month, ending a 26-year vacancy caused by a protracted legal dispute.

The commissioner said the Ministry, formerly a Bureau, was upgraded to a full-fledged ministry by the present administration to strengthen oversight of chieftaincy affairs.

He noted that the Ministry had continued to work with communities and kingmakers to ensure that the selection and installation of traditional rulers complied with relevant laws and customs, while intervening in disputes where necessary to promote peaceful resolutions.

Atibioke said the ministry also serves as the secretariat of the 86-member  State Traditional Council,  and was responsible for promoting the welfare of traditional rulers and chiefs in the 140 towns and villages in the State.

The commissioner described traditional rulers as key stakeholders in grassroots peace and security, community development and good governance, saying they also served as a link between government and residents.

On security, he said traditional rulers hold monthly meetings to review developments in their communities, while traditional councils at the local government level maintain security committees to address emerging issues in collaboration with relevant authorities.

He said though traditional and masquerade priests were permitted to wear their traditional crowns during festivals, they  were however barred from wearing such crowns and other regalia outside their shrines or beyond the festival period.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to protecting the integrity of traditional institutions and supporting traditional rulers as partners in peace, security and community development.