Ekiti govt urges monarchs to embrace peace, unity for development
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ekiti State Government on Thursday urged traditional rulers to promote unity in their communities, warning that internal conflicts could hinder development at the grassroots.
The Deputy Governor of the State, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, gave the charge while receiving the Obanla-in-Council of Ijesa-Isu in Ikole Local Government Area during a courtesy visit to her office in Ado-Ekiti.
She congratulated the newly installed Obanla of Ijesa-Isu, Oba David Olusegun Ateji, on his ascension to the throne and urged him to prioritise peace among all stakeholders in the community.
Afuye further advised the monarch to reconcile with those who contested the stool with him, stressing that extending an olive branch to aggrieved parties would help sustain unity in the town.
According to her, the level of cooperation among residents would determine the success of the monarch’s reign and the pace of development in the community; therefore, branding anyone as an enemy or allowing divisions to persist could undermine progress and affect growth in the town.
In his remarks, Oba Ateji commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for what he described as “the administration’s respect for traditional institutions and fairness in handling chieftaincy matters.”
The monarch also disclosed that he had begun reconciliation efforts in Ijesa-Isu, assuring that his reign would be guided by peace and inclusiveness to ensure development in the community.
