OPINION
IDANRE DESERVES A MONARCH WHO WILL ATTRACT UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENT TO THE ANCIENT COMMUNITY
By Richard Campbell
Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State happens to be the greatest LGA, where the Ondo State Government gets major revenue into her coffer, while the ancient community is wretched in terms of social utilities and viable educational institutions.
The ancient Idanre Hills despite being acclaimed as World Tourist Centre,as at now the Hills are nothing but an eyesore and watch out.
Successful Governments in Ondo State from the regime of Ita David Ekpeme to the present administration in the State,had paid leap service, to the development of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
However,the reign of late Oba Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye ( OFR) Arubiefi (iv)who reigned from 8th September 1976-30th July 2024,brought about a significant amount of development to the Idanre Kingdom, as the First Class Traditional Ruler left indelible marks behind, but there is still room for further accelerated development.
The seven years turmoil that ensued between the late monarch and his brother, before he finally emerged as Owa of Idanre Kingdom then,should not repeat itself.
Therefore,the onus of further development of the Idanre Kingdom lies on who became the next Owa of the Idanre Kingdom.
Age is just a number and God is the Sole determinant of how long an individual can live on earth.
Idanres and the Kingmakers must get it right this time around,by allowing whom the crown fits, to put it on, without age discrimination.
Idanres at home and Diaspora must ensured that all hands must be on the deck, with a view to installing a highly cerebral personality who will bring his experience into bear in the onerous task of developing Idanre Kingdom.
Idanre,one of the oldest Yoruba Kingdoms deserved the best this time around and all the brouhaha being made around should stop.
Since the passage of Oba Aroloye,all the markets in Idanre Kingdom have been closed down while market women and other traders have no option than to trade along the major roads, which has led to incessant and avoidable road wreckagies.
Installation of a new monarch, shall definitely put an end to avoidable road accidents especially where the market women do gather on market days to do their various businesses.
Blessings are coming upon Idanre Kingdom soonest.The Ondo State Government must as matter of urgency bypass and KEEP IN VIEW all the frivolous petitions,and install a noble Prince who knows the art and science of the Palace with a view to enhancing peace and progress of Idanre Kingdom.
There is no age limit that any eligible Prince cannot ascend the throne of his forefathers.
It is on record,that age age 97,Oba Omomo of Oda in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State ascended the throne of his forefathers.
In Oyo State, particularly Ibadan City, every successful Oba in the ancient City are always above eighty before ascending the throne of their forefathers.And they have always been contributing meaningfully to the development of Ibadan City.
It is always very good, for someone to always wait for his or her time.We should not be overambitious to lick the hot-soup else it will slice the throat.
Experience is the best teacher, the incoming monarch of Idanre Kingdom must be a Prince of proven integrity, sincere and straight forward who have galvanized across the Global Village and as such will be able to leverage on his experience in and outside Nigeria,attract International investors,use his International connections garnaed over the years to develop the ancient Idanre Kingdom.
It is an abberation and uncalled for some misguided elements in the society to be clamouring for age disparity as only an experienced Prince can take Idanre Kingdom to the promised land.Idanre today is one of the largest LGAs in Ondo State with over four hundred towns and villages, needs a well groomed and well matured Prince with over six decades of experience to rule Idanre Kingdom.
Traditionally and Constitutionally,there is no where in the world,where age is a barometer for someone or any Prince to ascend the throne of his forefathers.
Therefore,the Ondo State Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs must set everything in motion with a view to installing a noble Prince of Idanre to the plum and exalted seat of the vacant stool of Owa of Idanre Kingdom,a stool that belongs to one of the foremost Yoruba traditional rulers, cannot therefore be occupied with greenhorns and toddlers.
Richard Campbell writes from Cape Town, South Africa.
