What Gov. Abiodun told Macgregor to do as the new Oba of Orile Ilawo

By Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta

Ogun governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has advised the newly installed traditional ruler of Orile Ilawo community in the state, Oba Alexander Olusegun Macgregor to extend his hands of fellowship to those who contested for the throne with him.

The Governor, who spoke through his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy, Hon Ganiu Hamzat also advised the new Oba embark on speedy reconciliation of members of the community.

The Governor spoke after presenting staff of office to Macgregor during his installation as the Oba of Orile Ilawo.

He admonished the new Oba to be father of all, accessible, receptive and responsive to the yearnings of his people.

The Governor also clarified that the emergence of Macgregor as the new Oba of Orile Ilawo followed due process and is in accordance to the Obas and Chief Laws of Ogun State, 2021 as well as the customs and traditions of the Orile Ilawo community.

He said “No doubt, the selection process that culminated in the emergence of Oba Professor Alexander Olusegun MacGregor as the new Olu of Orile Ilawo followed the due process as prescribed by the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021 as well as the custom and traditions of Orile Ilawo.

“Let me say that the accolades that greeted the declaration of Oba Professor Olusegun Alexander Olusegun MacGregor as the new Olu of Orile Ilawo reveal that the appointment received the overwhelming support of the people, and it is indeed a step in the right direction for the continued development of the Orile Ilawo town.

“On this, I congratulate our new Oba for scaling the hurdles in the selection process, amongst all other contenders to the Stool.

“By your appointment as the new Olu of Orile Ilawo, you have become a member of the Egba Traditional Council and you are expected to foster cooperation with other Royal Fathers in Egba Traditional Council and in Ogun State at large.

“I also want to admonish you to extend hands of love and fellowship to all those who competed for the stool with you while also effecting speedy reconciliation amongst your people.

“As a father, you are expected to be accessible, receptive and responsive to your peoples yearnings. You should put your reputable academic experience to bear on your appointment to serve your people.

“In the same vein, you are to champion all efforts that will further enhance peaceful co-existence with other neighbouring townships in Egbaland and entire Ogun State, in order to justify the mandate and trust reposed in you by the good people of Orile Ilawo and the Ogun State Government.

“Let me also implore you to immediately concentrate on the task of accelerating the pace of socio-economic development in Orile Ilawo town by mobilizing your people to continue to support the Government, particularly, by performing their civic duties in the prompt payment of approved taxes, rates and levies, required for the provision of social amenities and general development of our dear State.

The Governor also charged all sons and daughters of the community to accord the new Oba the required support and cooperation necessary to launch the town to enviable heights amongst its equals.

He added that experience has shown that no meaningful development can take place in an environment of rancour and acrimony.

In his acceptance speech, the new traditional ruler said he accepted to be the Oba of Orile Ilawo because of what the throne means to him as the embodiment and expression of the culture, aspirations and history of his people.

He added that he had had a unique opportunity to reflect on the values and essence of historical continuum and for him and the people, Royalty means Justice,Peace and Unity.

“The time-tested, rancor-free succession process bequeathed to us in our customs and tradition,is a great tribute to far-sightedness and wisdom of our forefathers and our people. This collective achievement is a veritable proof of our ability to manage our own affairs. It makes us very proud of our heritage,” he said

Oba Macgregor, however, called for unity mutual respect among the people of the community while urging them to realise that their wholeness as a people is so much more than the sum of our parts.

He adding that Obaship remains the channel through which the powers of the ancestors continue to guide and protect the Kingdom and its people.

“To that extent, we shall faithfully discharge this sacred responsibility. We shall pay due attention to all matters of custom and tradition, focusing on real issues of security of our communities and the welfare and development of our people. We shall carry out reforms in palace administration in order to be adequately responsive to our peoples’ sincere and deep longing for justice, equity and stability.

“We shall strive to ensure that conflicts are resolved between individuals, families and communities along the principles of social justice. We shall use cultural diplomacy as a veritable tool for the promotion of harmonious relationships with our neighbors far and near.” he promised

“While admonishing the people to strive to maintain their culture, especially their language by insisting on its use in communicating with their children and each other. To survive it is imperative that we maintain our culture which is now the only unifying force for our people.

“Our culture and tradition remains the one main factor that the entire country and international community respects us for. For this, I appeal to our People at home and in the diaspora to uphold and respect our traditional institution at all times.

Those present at the installation ceremony are League of Egba Obas, the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III CFR , HRM Oba (Dr.)
Adedapo Adewale Tejuosho CON, Karunwi III, Oramiyan, the Osile of Oke Ona Egba, Agura of Gbagura, HRM Oba Saburee Babajide Ishola, Bakre and the Oluwo of Owu HRM Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola.