By Josephine Oguntoyinbo & Sade Adewale

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborate with traditional rulers across the country to improve security and ensure peace in their local communities in order to bring unprecedented development.

Tinubu, who stated this during the 70th birthday celebration of Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, held at the Diocese of Ondo (Anglican Communion) Cathedral Church of St. Stephen in Ondo city, said the collaboration became necessary for peace and tranquillity to reign across the country.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that the last 17 years reign of Oba Kiladejo in Ondo kingdom has been very peaceful, saying the monarch has been enjoying the support of the people of the ancient town.

He commended the Ondo monarch for the giant strides recorded in terms of infrastructural and human capital development.

Tinubu urged everyone to continue supporting the traditional ruler in ensuring that there was peace and security while the kingdom continued to develop.

Meanwhile, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom installed the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji as the “Baamoye” of Ondo Kingdom.

The Speaker alongside 19 others were installed as part of the activities lined up for the 70th birthday and 17th coronation anniversary of the Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba Dr. Adesimbo Victor Kiladejo.

The monarch, while congratulating Olamide Oladiji as well as other Chiefs stated that they were chosen because of their good works and immense contributions to Ondo kingdom, the state and the nation at large.

He, however, encouraged them to continue the good works they have been known for, as their new honorary chieftaincy title is a call for them to do more for the society.

In his reaction, Olamide Oladiji appreciated the monarch for finding him worthy of the honorary chieftaincy title bestowed on him.

He said: “This is as a result of my contribution to the development of Ondo Kingdom, Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

“This honorary chieftaincy title is a call to service, it is a big challenge for me to do more for Ondo Kingdom and I’ll continue to support our monarch on how to move Ondo Kingdom forward.”

The Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan, while congratulating Oladiji noted that his conferment as Baamoye of Ondo Kingdom is in recognition of his sterling leadership qualities and appreciation of his contribution to the town.

Akinruntan described the Speaker as a kind-hearted leader and an apostle of peace and order who has facilitated numerous developmental projects in Ondo Kingdom as a lawmaker, stressing that the honorary conferment of the chieftaincy title is undoubtedly merited.

He added that this new feather to Ondo Speaker is indeed a call to service.

Other members of the House of Assembly said the well-deserved honour is a confirmation of his passion for humanity and communal growth.

The lawmakers described the Speaker as an erudite politician, educationist and a God-fearing man, whose destiny has bestowed on him a lasting legacy.