1st February, 2018
The Lagos State Governor, Mr AkinwunmiAmbode has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain peace and order in their domains.
This appeal was made during the installation and presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to His Royal Majesty, Oba Basiru Sotonwa as the Sekumade of Ipakodo land, held at Ferry Terminal, Ebute – Ipakodo in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area of the State.
Ambode, who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami implored royal fathers to maintain peace and order in their communities and urged the youths and residents of Ipakodo Community to guide jealously all infrastructural amenities provided by the State Government for the betterment of their community and desist from cultism and all forms of hooliganism but embrace good habits.
Folami said that the government would not rest on its oars in bringing infrastructural development nearer to the residents, saying that the present administration was committed to running a bottom-top approach as an inclusive government by using the communities as springboard for social and economic development.
He said that regardless of the advent of modernism, the institution of traditional remained a rally point for the generality of the people.
‘’As a custodian of the culture and tradition of your people, you should be seen as a rallying point for the maintenance of communal peace and social development,” he stated.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that the residents enjoyed dividend of democracy by assisting them through various empowerment programmes to start up their Small Medium businesses.
However, Ambode appealed to residents to take cleanliness of their environment very seriously and cooperate with the environmental outfits which had been engaged for collection and disposal of refuse to ensure the success of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.
‘’Please, cooperate with them and let us stop dumping refuse on the medians, roads and block drains, let us make judicious use of their services as cleanliness is next to godliness,’’ he stated.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Fola Padonu noted that the Installation was in line with the registered declaration regulating the selection of the stool of Sekumade.
He added that the installation was approved by the State Government, having been scrutinized and passed due process, saying that Sekumade of Ipakodo throne had been vacant for 18 years.
Speaking, Oba Sotonwa, thanked the governor for the honour.