The Asin of Iwaro-Oka Akoko; Oba Pius Akande, has called on governments at all levels to give more roles to traditional institutions to bring about transformational developments of communities within it’s immediate domain.
Oba Akande stated this at Iwaro-Oka in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, in an interview session with journalists on Saturday during his 2nd Coronation Anniversary and the celebration of New Yam Festival.
According to him, the traditional rulers need more functional roles to ensure that the spate of insecurity in the land is curbed, “as traditional rulers, we know our people and we can easily fish out the strangers in respective domains.”
The Royal Father thanked Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for recognizing the Asin of Iwaro-Oka kingdom stool and giving full Obaship status to the kingdom.
He also lauded the governor’s efforts in the area of the provision of adequate security for the people of the state.
While calling for establishment of state police on the part of the government, he promised to revive many traditional practices that had been abandoned in the past, on his own part.
“We are happy. I have to fasten my belt to bring development to my people. We just had the throne which had been taken from us since 1904. Most of the traditional things we were doing before had been abandoned.”
“We are trying to bring them back. I have nothing against the masquerades, traditionalists, Christianity or Islam. All religions will be allowed in my community,” he said.
Speaking with PRESENT NIGERIA, the oldest man in the Iwaro-Oka community, Pa Benedict Orole, said that the presentation of staff of office and instruments of appointment to the traditional rulers two years ago ended the 118-year agitation for the kingship of the kingdom to be recognised by the state government.
“The state government’s recognition of the Asin of Oka-Odo has now made Oka land in Akoko to be having two traditional rulers: the Olubaka of Oka and the Asin of Oka-Odo, Iwaro-Oka,” he said.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the Coronation Central Planning Committee, Elder Jerome Tolorunlogo, thanked everyone for their presence at the epoch event, and called on other traditional rulers to keep the tempo of peace and unity in their respective domains.
While calling on all indigenes of the Iwaro-Oka community to rally round Oba Akande for rapid development to come into the community, a prominent Akure-based son of the town; Mr. Martins Ogunlana; advised residents of the community to eschew dissolute and degrading lifestyles and embrace hard work and honesty.
