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Osinbajo tasks new Akarigbo on development of Remoland
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has admonished the new Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Adewale Babatunde Ajayi, to bring to bear his wealth of experience in the development of his domain.
He said that the new traditional ruler has all that it takes to place the entire Remo Kingdom to an enviable height in the 21st.
The VP stated this in his remarks on Thursday at the installation and presentation of staff of office to Oba Ajayi, as the 19th Akarigbo of Remoland, held at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Ogun State.
Osinbajo who described the new monarch as an accomplished accountant and a legal luminary of repute said the entire Remo Kingdom was lucky to have him as their monarch.
He said the outstanding successes of the new monarch was a pointer to the fact that Remoland would remain a reference point in terms of development, tradition, and culture.
The nation’s number two citizen noted that Remoland has been a bastion of freedom, justice, and egalitarian society since the days of its founding.
Osinbajo said Oba Ajayi has represented the attribute of justice, enterprise, and integrity in both professions while expressing confidence that those attributes would be deployed to serve his people.
He urged the new Akarigbo to serve as a rallying point for the sons and daughters of Remoland for development, submitting that the land is home to many gifted personalities.
Osinbajo further said that Oba Ajayi would surpass his predecessors in office based on his pedigree and commitment.
He said, “Remoland has been a bastion of freedom, justice, and egalitarianism from the days of its founding till the time of Uthman Dan Fodio and the collapsed of the Oyo Empire.We all sauntered around to safety in this very land from where we are today.
“The Akarigbo has represented the attribute of justice, enterprise, and integrity and he has served as a reference point for justice in Remoland.
“Now we begin to realise our fortune as the Akarigbo combines the discipline of Law, Accountancy, and Commerce, being a lawyer and an accomplished accountant, Barrister and Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, we could not have made a better choice.
“Kabiyesi, we are all proud of your unblemished career in both profession and outstanding successes. We are confident that your sterling attributes will serve the people of Remoland.
“On behalf of the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Nigeria, I congratulate you on your conferment on the illustrious office as the 19th Akarigbo of Remoland.
“This position was based on the tradition and acceptance of our people and this is a task of galvanising the people of Remo for development.
“This land is a land of many gifted personalities. Your reign will mark the coming together of all sons and daughters of Remoland to take this historic land to the enviable height in the 21st Century.
“Your pedigree and commitment to our people and your industry is a great hope that you will exceed your predecessors.”
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his address described the Obaship institution as an important stakeholder in helping the government to maintain stability and mobilising people for communal socio-economic development.
Amosun appreciated all sons and daughters of Remoland for ensuring that the installation of Oba Ajayi became a reality fourteen months after the passage of the late Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo.
He enjoined them to work hand in hand with the new monarch for him to achieve more than all the past Akarigbos.
“The Obaship Institution has through the years, evolved to take up an all-encompassing role as the balance for political, economic and social development in their different domains.
“More than ever before, Kabiyesi, being a lawyer and an accountant of mean repute, it is expected that your wealth of experience in these coveted professions would be brought to bear on your reign. You should leverage your proximity to Lagos and draw credible investors to Remoland.
“I charge all indigenes of Sagamu, and by extension, all the natives and residents of Remoland to continue to live in peace and harmony for the continued development of Remoland, in particular, and Ogun State, as a whole,” Amosun added.
In their goodwill messages, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, offered prayers on the new monarch and wished him a successful reign.
Oba Ogunwusi said the enthronement of Oba Ajayi was significant having coincided with his second year on the throne.
While Oba Gbadebo urged the new monarch to dedicate his life to the service of his people.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Ajayi, said he would use his office to complement the effort of government in all areas of human endeavors, noting that government alone cannot provide for the people.
The Akarigbo maintained that to “attain the glorious future, we have to work together as one large family.
“Government cannot do it alone. We have to complement the effort of government. We have to assist government to cater to the needs of our growing number of unemployed youths.
“We have to carry our women along, those born entrepreneurs who have to juggle the challenges of the domestic front with today’s current realities of dwindling resources.
“Together, we must assist government to provide a peaceful environment in our communities so that the return of industries to Remo will continue to grow by leaps and leaps and bounds.”
Dignitaries at the ceremony include the deputy governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Suraj Adekunbi, the co-chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo,the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu,the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Ismail Zakari.
Others include the representatives of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Sotobi, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), Senator Sefiu Kaka, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, His Grace, Most Reverend (Dr) Olusina Fape, Mr. Segun Awolowo, Sir Adebunkola Adebutu among others.
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