Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the weekend said traditional rulers have been instrumental to the peace, growth and development in the state, adding that the administration holds them in high esteem for their strategic roles.
The Governor spoke in Ipee, Oyun Local Government Area, where he attended the 20th coronation and 60th birthday anniversaries of the Onipe Oba Muftau Adebayo Lawal Titiloye III.
AbdulRazaq commended the Onipe for keeping Ipee peaceful and progressive, and congratulated him on his successes on the throne.
“I therefore congratulate Your Royal Highness and wish you well on the throne,” he said.
“We are proud of you, especially the way you kept this kingdom together for the past twenty years. With your career, starting from the Kwara State Polytechnic, to Zamfara, back to your throne here, you have left a good record. The government is happy with you.”
In company of the Governor were Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; cabinet members; the State APC Chairman Sunday Fagbemi; and Alhaji Abdulrazaq Jiddah.
The event was also attended by many traditional rulers from Kwara South and members of Onipe in Council including the Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II; Olupo of Ajase-ipo Oba Ismaila Yahaya Alebiosu; Elese of Igbaja Oba (Dr.) Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III; Olomu of Omu-aran Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti; Elerin of Erin-Ile Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola Olusokun II; Olupako of Share Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman; Director General Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies Comrade Issa Aremu; Chairman of the Occasion Barrister Abdulateef Fagbemi; National President Ipee Progressive Union (IPU) Engr Moshood Abiodun Anifowose; and Chairman Ipee Advisory Council Chief Olabode Afolayan; among other dignitaries and thousands of residents of Ipeeland.
Oba Lawal, for his part, said the present administration has made life memorable for the people of Ipee community with different laudable projects.
The monarch thanked the Governor for giving them a sense of belonging and impacting the lives of the masses.
The monarch specifically commended AbdulRazaq for the elevation of the stool of Onipe of Ipee and the comprehensive renovation of primary and secondary schools, among other projects.
“We cannot pray for and thank the government enough for making the lives of our children and indeed everybody comfortable, and for improving the lots of our community. I want all Ipee people, both at home and in the diaspora, to continue to thank the government for giving us a sense of belonging in the State,” he said.
“Twenty years of my reign have been remarkable. It has been a time of goodwill, close rapport, understanding and fulfillment. It is worthy of note that everybody has played their parts to keep Ipee moving. I thank God.”
National President Ipee Progressive Union (IPU), Engr Moshood Abiodun Anifowose, said Ipee has continued to witness peace and development under the monarch, praying God to strengthen him more and continue to accord his reign monumental achievements.
AbdulRazaq’s convoy, meanwhile, was hugely welcomed in Omupo by jubilant supporters of APC, led by their Chairman Alhaji Nasir Ibrahim, during their weekly ward meeting.
The Governor, who joined them at the ward meeting, mentioned some of his administration’s achievements and his efforts to transform the state — with locals nodding in agreement.
He encouraged them to continue to spread the news about the recorded feats of the administration ahead of the 2023 general election.
