The Osun State Government has approved the appointment of Prince Babatunde Omotosho Tajudeen as the new Onijabe of Ijabeland, alongside the appointment of several other traditional rulers and the elevation of minor chiefs to recognised positions across the state.
The approvals were granted by the Osun State Executive Council at its meeting on Saturday, following a review of the selection process for the Onijabe stool and other traditional leadership matters.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, disclosed this in a statement issued at the end of the meeting.
According to the statement, the council approved Tajudeen’s appointment after setting aside the 2018 Amended Onijabe of Ijabe Chieftaincy Declaration and reviewing the process that led to the selection of a new monarch.
The statement added that his appointment took immediate effect.
Beyond the Onijabe stool, the council approved the elevation of some minor chiefs to Part II recognised chiefs and confirmed new traditional rulers in communities across different local government areas.
Among those appointed is Oloyede Samuel Oyekanmi Adewale, who was approved as the Olugbense of Agurodo in Ejigbo West Local Government Area, while Prince Adewusi Adetunji Hamsat was named the Alaba of Alaba-Ijesa in Atakumosa West Local Government Area.
Chief Adedoyin Muritala Adewale was appointed the Akogun of Ife in Ife East Local Government Area, while Prince Babajide Oludare emerged as the Olupasi of Ipasi-Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area.
The list also includes Prince (Dr) Philip Abiodun Badewa as the Akeji of Ikeji-Ile in Oriade Local Government Area and Prince Oni Edward Olujoba as the Akinsin of Inisa-Ijesa in Atakumosa West Local Government Area.
Other approved appointments are Prince Adedeji Kayode Adedapo as the Wasare of Ijana Wasare-Ijesa in Atakumosa West Central Local Council Development Area and Prince Abdulrauf Babatunde Lawal Oyekunle as the Oloponda of Oponda in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.
The council further approved Prince Adelaja Oluwaseyi Adedoyin as the Alajebamidele of Ajebamidele-Ijesa in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, Prince Frederick Adedayo Haastrup as the Aloya of Iloya-Ijesa in Atakumosa West Local Government Area and Chief (Mrs) Ojo Hannah Bolanle as the Arise of Ilesa in Ilesa West Local Government Area.
Also appointed were Prince Musibau Adewuyi Omotosho as the Olu of Ayenigba in Egbedore South Local Council Development Area and Prince Lawal Sherif Atanda as the Alawo of Ilawo in Ejigbo South Local Council Development Area. Atanda was additionally approved as the Alamuye of Amuye-Efaforiji-Ijesa.
In another development, the Executive Council approved the report of a seven-member panel of inquiry set up to investigate the Olu of Araromi-Owu chieftaincy crisis in Ayedaade Local Government Area.
However, the government did not disclose the panel’s findings or recommendations in the statement.
Alimi confirmed that all the approved appointments would take effect immediately, marking another round of changes in traditional leadership across Osun State.