The Ondo State Government has issued a stern warning to subordinate chiefs, cautioning them against the unauthorized wearing of beaded crowns.
According to Alhaji Amidu Takuro, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, such actions could lead to a three-year prison sentence if found guilty.
He emphasized this stance during a press conference held at his office in Akure.
“On the warning on wearing of crown, it’s just an affirmation of the existing laws of the state that prohibit anybody who is not an Oba to put on a beaded crown.
“Anybody who is a minor chief is not allowed to wear crown.
“Traditional institution is an institution that we cherish so much and value and we want to do everything humanly possible to protect the integrity, image and importance of that institution.
“For anybody to just put on a crown who is not permitted is bastardizing that institution and that person will be subjected to trial in the law court and he is liable to be subjected to two or three years in prison,” he stated.
Takuro said that the state government had received some complaints from some communities l, adding that the government had sent strong warnings to some people.
According to him, the government will not fold its hands for anybody to bastardize the traditional institution.
“ We so much cherish the traditional institutions because traditional institution is one of the institutions that are still keeping us moving in the Yoruba nation. So, we cannot but sustain that importance and protect the dignity.
“Every minor chief knows that he is a minor chief. A ‘Baale’, ‘Oloja’ knows he is a minor chief. Somebody that an Oba appoints to be an ‘Olu’ knows that he is a minor chief and not a recognised Oba,” he said.
Takuro reiterated the need for all communities in the state to have their Chieftaincy Declaration documents in forestalling crisis that could emanate from installing traditional rulers.
Speaking on the nullification of the creation of local council development areas( LCDA) by the state High Court, the commissioner said that the state government would employ multiple means to address the issue.
“This government has invested so much on the creation of LCDA. The LCDA idea was initiated by our late last leader, late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.
“ And Gov. Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded him being a deputy governor then is a man that really believes in his boss and he is a man that always tells us that he will try as much as possible to sustain the legacy left behind by his late boss. So far, he has always stuck to that.
“The government under the leadership of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been working on how to balance the equation and in doing that many stakeholders have to be involved.
“But one thing I can assure you about LCDA is that it has come to stay. Nothing will abolish LCDA in Ondo State. This government believes in it and it will sustain it.
“The government is also working on alternative dispute resolutions. The government is ready to engage all parties involved and look into their grievances so that we can be on a same page. We will approach it on multiple ways.
“But one thing I can assure you is that LCDA will be sustained, it’s not dead, it’s very much alive. Those that are saying that the governor is behind the judgement are the enemies of Ondo State, who are always creating crisis and blackmailing the government for political gains,” he stated.
The commissioner also assured that the Aiyedatiwa-led government had decided that there would be local government election soon in the state.
“In a matter of some weeks, you will see the clear position of the government on this issue. We are only trying to clean out our house before making pronouncement so that it will not be subjected again to litigation,” he promised.
He appreciated the state governor on his preventive measures towards flooding across the state.
“Across the state now, if you’re moving round, there is de-silting in all the local government areas particularly in the headquarters.
“This de-silting is to prevent flooding. Apart from that, if you observe, some roads on the left and right are so weedy, the governor said there must be road verges across our roads.
“ Not only that there are some areas that need channelization of our water ways,free flow of water during raining season.
“We have been able to identify about five to six areas and we are starting this week. These are the things the governor has mandated the local government to embark upon,” he stated.
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