……….Urges govt to promote culture.
…………Wants action on fire station office in Iganna.
………..Marks 12th installation anniversary in grand style.
…….Appreciates Oyo gov, Alaafin of Oyo.
The paramount traditional ruler of Iganna land in Iganna LCDA of Oyo State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Soliu Oyemonla Azeez, Agunloye IV, Ayefemiloye I, has appealed to the state government to pay better attention to the welfare of traditional rulers in the state.
Speaking with pressmen in an interview in his palace during his just concluded 12th installation ceremony which came up on May 5, 2021, Oba Azeez lamented that many of them are financially unstable, lack necessary materials in the palace and many who are due for promotion have been on the waiting list for several years now.
The Sabiganna of Iganna land, who doubles as the permanent chairman, Iwajowa Local Government Traditional Council and entire Iganna Kingdom, added that many of their chiefs and bales are not in the government’s payrolls as expected and such is pulling them down to perform their statutory and traditional functions effectively.
According to him, he said obas were in palaces not befitting their status.
He therefore pleaded with the government to look into the situation.
The monarch who started the low-key ceremony with special prayer and thanksgiving to Allah for the grace to witness the occasion in sound mind and good health, appreciated the council of traditional rulers and chiefs in the state and in Oke-Ogun in particular, the chief-in-council, his oloris, the royal family members and the indigenes, home and in the diaspora for their love and support so far.
Speaking further, Oba Azeez also pleaded with the state government to do more in promoting Yoruba culture and tradition. The government is trying on this but I will want more attention for our culture.
The monarch equally used the medium to further plead with the state government to give priority attention to fire station office in Iganna already approved for construction by the immediate past administration.
On the security situation round the country, the traditional ruler, while decrying the wave of insecurity in Nigeria as a whole, called on the Federal Government to rise to the occasion and save the area and the country from imminent collapse. According to him, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, owes it a duty to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.
He used the medium to further appeal to Nigerians to be more united, saying that there is strength in unity.
Oba Azeez pleaded with all political office holders to always honour and fulfil all their electioneering campaign promises to the electorate. He urged them to ensure that they spread evenly round dividends of democracy in their areas, saying the attitude of winner takes all should not be applied.
In the interview, Sabiganna also used the medium to plead with the indigenes of Iganna Kingdom called Aloba Descendants to unite and join hands to further move Iganna land forward socially, economically and otherwise.
Listing his major achievements since he came on board, Oba Oyemonla Azeez said under General Administration, he had restored politics without bitterness and acrimony back into the kingdom in the last 12 years.
The list also include:
Constitution of a dynamic community executives headed by Mr Oluniyi Ogunjimi.
*Composition of a new anthem for the kingdom.
Sustenance of peace, tranquillity and religious harmony.
*Restoration of the celebration of annual Iganna Day Anniversary.
*Re-orientation of youth for community development
Organisation of lectures/summits and advocacy.
*Outright proscription of youth carnivals due to violent activities in the kingdom.
*Inauguration of conflict resolution committee among Sabigann-in-Council headed by Chief Basorun Iganna Kingdom to address land disputes farmers/Fulani conflicts and marital issues.
*Inauguration of education committee to address falling standard of education.
*Regular praise and worship of God by religious faithful in the palace.
*Sustenance of sponsorship of annual traditional festival in the kingdom.
*Regular community meetings on necessary issues
Regular consultations with Sabiganna-in-Council on daily/weekly basis.
*Creation of a website for Iganna Kingdom; igannalland.com
*Installation of Seriki Fulani to sustain inter-ethnic cordial relationship and
Establishment of Sabo Market for Hausa community.
On traditional council matters;
the achievements include:
*Introduction of reforms and fiscal discipline into Iwajowa Local Government Traditional Council.
*Purchase of nine vehicles for senior members of the council through opening of stabilization account for the council.
*Upgrading of eligible Baales into recognised chieftaincy status.
*Elevation of four (4) members of the council to beaded crown Obas.
*Prompt payment of stipends and allowances to members of the council.
*Sustenance of peaceful co-existence and unity among members.
*Objective administration of Justices on boundary/land disputes and chieftaincy crisis in the local government.
On infrastructural developments;
the achievements are:
*Creation of Iganna Local Council Development Area (LCDA)
*Construction of an event centre at Sabo Area, Iganna.
*Building of new post office in the town.
*On-going completion of an-age long community town hall by the community executives.
*Establishment of Olorunda Multi-Purpose market to alleviate poverty.
*Completion of Iganna water works and extension of pipe-borne water to the township by Water Corporation of Oyo State.
*Establishment of Milk Collection Point (MCP)
Grade A Customary Court presided over by a magistrate.
*Renovation of royal palace.
*Geometric increase in the numbers of churches and mosques.
*Aibi Micro-Finance Bank The only bank in Iwajowa Local Government.
*Urbanisation of the kingdom with new buildings in the four corners of the town.
*Asphatic construction of Ofiki River Bridge into a modern one and Iganna-Iwere-Ile-Idiko-Ile road.
Allocation of 50 acres of land, for the construction of Ayinla Adegator’s Estate, Iganna.
On-going construction of three hotels Emperor Citi International Hotel, Idera Hotel and Royal Garden Hotel in Iganna.
Access to Star Times Satellite television.
Construction of BOVAD Hotel, Ilero and Iganna
Construction of VASCO Motel, Okeho Road, Iganna.
Construction of 12 additional filling petrol stations.
Allocation of 20,000 acres of land for the development of Iganna satellite town.
Security Achitecture:
The achievements are:
Constant peace and security meetings with stakeholders.
Establishment of Iganna Police Area Command
Upgrading of Iganna Police Post to Divisional Police Headquarters.
Approval of police clinic for Iganna Area Command
Immigration board patrol base located in Iganna and
Divisional Headquarters of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Health Care Services Delivery
General Hospital with a resident medical doctor
Improved health care delivery and health centre
Establishment of tuberculosis centre in Iganna.
Baptist Private Hospital, Iganna.
On-going construction of a multi-million naira Highland Private Hospital Project.
Periodic free health services by registered/approved foundations.
Educational Development:
Establishment of additional two public secondary schools, Baptist High School, Iganna and Muslim Comprehensive High School, Iganna.
Establishment of additional private secondary schools .
Additional public primary schools.
Construction of a modern Block of 24 classroom at Baptist High School, Iganna.
ICT Centre at Iganna High School, Iganna and a block of 3 classrooms, borehole with 5 toilets.
ICT centre at Community Grammar School, Iganna, Iganna.
Study Centre, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate Campus at Community Grammar School.
Study Centre, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo at Iganna High School, Iganna.
Registration of Iganna Heritage Foundation
To address the scourge of poverty in the Kingdom, a non-governmental organisation, Iganna Heritage Foundation was registered at Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja to provide:
a. Succour for the widows, orphans and indigent students
b. Skill acquisition for women
c. Empowerment of the youth, etc
To this effort, over 2,000 smart charcoal stoves donated by Environfit Smart Nigeria Limited, Lagos to widows in Iganna kingdom
To round off the interview, Sabiganna extended his deep gratitude and appreciation to Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, HIM, Oba Dr Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III for his fatherly role and support for him since he ascended the throne of his forefathers.
