News Editor
By Kayode Okunola, Ilorin
Olojoku of Ojoku in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba AbdulRazaq Adegboyega Afolabi Iyiolasemi III, has advised the Constitution Review Committee in the National Assembly to assign the role of Advisors to traditional rulers in the constitution.
Oba Afolabi, who gave the advice while celebrating his 15th year coronation anniversary in Ojoku recently, said that the federal government should tap from the knowledge of natural rulers by giving them constitutional role to play in the nation polity.
The monarch recalled that he was an astute local government administrator before ascending the throne, maintaining that traditional rulers should be made to play prominent role in the implementation of local government reform.
“The traditional rulers can be made to play prominent role in the implementation of local government reforms in the country because most of them are versed in the local government administration,” he said
Speaking on the Tax Reform Bills, which is presently before the National Assembly, Oba Afolabi who said that he did not have details yet about the proposed bills, however, alleged that it was geared towards the regional government in the country.
According to him, “Regional government is better for the people of the country because it is the community in which the resources are endowed that should enjoy the fruit instead of placing the mineral resources found in a state on the exclusive list in the constitution.”
Oba Afolabi called on sons and daughters of Ojoku to come and establish industries in the community adding that the Federal government has rehabilitated the roads leading to the town.
“I want to appeal to all sons and daughters of Ojoku as well as well to do individual to come and establish Agro factories in their community. The road leading to the town has been rehabilitated by the federal government and there’s no problem about moving the raw materials and finished goods in and out of the community,” the monarch stressed.
Speaking on his 15 years reign, Oba Afolabi said that the town had witnessed unprecedented peace while some facilities had been upgraded.
According to him, motorized boreholes had been provided in strategic locations in the town while more classrooms and other educational facilities had been provided in schools in the community.
He said: “New ultra modern town hall has been built by Ojoku indigene, 20 sets of computers with projector was donated to Ojoku Grammar School by the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, construction of Police Divisional headquarters, Magistrate Court, establishment of Muslim Senior Secondary School, upgrading of Olojoku stool to 2nd class status and renovation of the palace, among others.
At the occasion, Oba Afolabi honored 10 prominent people, who included Professor J.O. Olatoke and his wife, Mrs Grace Olatoke and the Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Qawiy Olododo with chieftaincy titles.
