The seat of Asin of Oka-Odo, Iwaro-Oka has been accorded obaship status on Grade C after 117 years of tussle as Sir Pius Omiyejola Akande was presented Staff and Instrument of Appointment as substansive Asin.
History was made in Oka-Odo, Iwaro-Oka, Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State as the State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu presented Instrument and Staff of Office to Sir Pius Omiyejola Akande as the substansive Asin of Oka-Odo.
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Rural Development, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, disclosed that the battle for recognition of the obaship status of the Asin seat, started when a paramountcy and supremacy tussle ensued between the Olubaka and Asin and the paramountcy was conferred on the Olubaka.
According to him, the Asin Obaship status had been accorded recognition during the defunct Western region but was jettisoned due to the fight over supremacy between the Olubaka and the Asin.
The Governor added that after a long legal battle that was decided at the Supreme Court, the State government was ordered to implement the recommendation of the 1979 Justice Ogunleye Commission of inquiry which conferred an obaship status on the Asin seat.
Adding that the State Executive Council immediately Swung into action and approved the recognition of the Obaship status on the Asin of Oka-Odo on Grade C on the 4th of March, he congratulated the people of Oka-Odo for this great achievement.
The Governor who charged the new Oba to embrace the spirit of Sportsmanship, be a father to all, limit his activities to his domain and make the development of Oka-Odo paramount in his pursuit, also enjoined the Community to accord him the required cooperation, support and loyality needed to move the community forward.
Arakunrin Akeredolu charged the oba to lend the government a helping hand in ensuring peace and security in his domain while promising that government on its part, will continue to make life more meaningful and worthwhile for the people through the provision of basic social amenities and infrastructure.
In his Address to the occastion, the Chairman Akoko Southwest Local Government, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe appreciated the Governor for fulfiling his electioneering promise of recognising every chieftaincy stool that qualifies for recognition.
He appealed to the people to support the government as well as key into all its provrammes, as a way of resiprocating its good gestures.
In his response, the Asin of Oka-Odo , Oba Pius Imiyejola Akande appreciated the Governor for fulfiling his promise to the people as well as counting Oka-Odo and consequently Akoko Southwest Local government, worthy of people oriented projects doting its landscape.
Like Oliver Twist, he asked for more projects that will make life more meaningful for the people, while pledging to live up to expectation as well as foster peaceful coexistence with the people and other Obas in the Local Government.
In his Address of welcome, the Parmanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Segun Odusanya, joined the people of Oka-Odo and Akoko Southwest Local Government in thanking the Governor for approving the recognition of the Obaship status of the Asin of Oka-Odo on Grade C.
He appealed to other communities desiring such, to come together, speak with one voice, so as to enjoy various goodies in stock for them
Abooluwa Famakinwa
Head Publicity and Media Unit.