Ten years after debacle, Siun gets traditional ruler
By After ten years of uncertainty, the Baale of Siun, Chief Lawrence Olawale Odeyinka, has been installed the Olu of Siun, in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government of Ogun State. For many sons and daughters of the town, having a new traditional ruler was a dream come true. It has been one long night of frustration and unhappiness for them. But with the new installation, better days are ahead.
The former Baale of Siun was also an immediate beneficiary of the decision of the Ogun State government to upgrade some stools of Baale to second class Obas in the State to herald all round development and bring more dividends of democracy to the areas.
The Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, stated this while performing the official installation, with presentation of staff of office and instrument of appointment to the erstwhile Baale of the town, Oba Lawrence Olawale Odeyinka, as the first Olu of Siun, which was witnessed by sons and daughters of Siun, as well as government functionaries and dignitaries from all walks of life.
Governor Amosun congratulated members of the community for the upgrading of the stool of Baale of Siun, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, to the status of part II Oba, saying this would open up the area for more developmental projects. He further opined that the development would bring the needed progress that would place the town in its pride of place. He added that peace would bring the development that the people had always yearned for.
Amosun who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, commended the efforts of Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in the upgrading of the monarch, acknowledging that Alake had been a rallying point for the entire traditional rulers in Egbaland, which had made the council to witness peace and remarkable progress.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun admonished sons, daughters and residents of the Siun to work in tandem with the new oba in moving the town forward. According to Amosun “I am particularly happy that the upgrading of the stool of Baale of Siun to the status of Oba came into reality during the lifetime of Oba Lawrence Olawale Olayinka, who was the incumbent Baale until his appointment as an Oba.”
The governor commended the overwhelming support the people of Siun accorded the new Oba during the upgrading and official installation process. According to the governor, that showed that Kabiyesi was a bridge-builder adding that, that was a reference point for all, even during his reign as the chairman of the Ogun State Council of Baales.
Amosun also enjoined the new traditional ruler to be more receptive and responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of his people, just as he noted that by his appointment, he has become a member of the Egba Traditional Council, urging him to work hand in hand with the council, in order to promote peace and progress of not only Siun community but the entire state.
He implored the traditional ruler to mobilise his subjects in the discharge of their civic responsibilities, as the state government relied on internally generated revenue (IGR) for continued delivery of dividends of democracy to its citizenry.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Odeyinka appreciated all indigenes of the community and well wishers for their numerous supports, which had made the event a huge success, assuring that he would use his wealth of experience in establishing cooperative associations, to devise means of reducing poverty among the people.
The new Olu of Siun emphasised that the establishment of a democratically and mutually owned community based cooperative association would afford the people the needed opportunities in pooling their resources together to enhance economic benefits and financial independence.
Earlier, the chairman of Obafemi/Owode Local Government, Alhaji Jamiu Balogun lauded Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration for its unprecedented infrastructural development in the state, noting that the presence of government was being felt in all sectors of the economy, including traditional institutions that were being given their right place in governance.
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, in his address, advised Oba Odeyinka not to hold grudges against those who had delayed his installation, in the past 10 years through petitions. Rather, he urged the new Olu of Siun to thank God that, at last, he had even been crowned as a senior traditional ruler in Ogun State.
The Alake explained further that being a second class oba, he would automatically become a member of the Egba Traditional Council which those before him were not given the opportunity to be in.
Oba Gbadebo advised him to work very hard in bringing together all sections of the Igbore larger community in Egbaland by working in cooperation and collaboration with the Oluwo of Igbore as well as all other stakeholders. He went further to add that the people desired a leadership that would foster development and that the new traditional ruler should ensure that the people are given the regard that is due them. He called on both residents and indigenes of the town to rally round the new traditional ruler with the expectation that the town will get the expected development.
The Onijale of Ijale Papa and the Oluwo of Egbaland, high chief Adeboye Adeyemi also prayed for the new Egba traditional ruler. He asked the new traditional leader to focus on meeting the needs of the people, insisting that the town would only grow when there is peace, truth and trustworthiness.
Oba Lawrence Odeyinka, the new Olu of Siun was accompanied to the Ake Palace by many Igbore indigenes including the Oluwo of Igbore, Oba Anthony Olayiwola, the Balogun of Ikore and Boroji of Egbaland chief Lateef Lemboye, former VIO Ogun State chief Oluwole Olumide and chief Adebayo Shofolahan.
Also present at the event were the Oluwo Of Egba Adeboye Adeyemi, Aare Ganiu Babayeju, Ogboye S.A Akinremi, Akangun Adebayo Shoyooye, Baagbinmo Akanni Akinwale, Olori Parakoyi Kashimawo Laloko, Bantu Kehinde Sofenwa and Aare Baroyin Layi Labode.
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