The Ondo State Government has issued a clarification on the issue surrounding the Owa-Ale Chieftaincy Stool of Ondo State saying the title is Owa-Ale of Iyo Meta and not Owa-Ale of Iyo Mefa as earlier wrongly stated.
This is contained in a White Paper released during the week by the Government.
The White Paper reads as follows:
“Re: Ondo State Government white paper on Hon. Justice C. E. T. Ajama Judicial Commission on Chieftaincy Matters.
Clarification on Owa-Ale Stool
The General Public should note the correction in respect of Owa Ale Chieftaincy stool as contained in the Press statement earlier issued today (Monday). The correct designation is Owa-Ale of Iyo Meta. All other information in respect of the said
Chieftaincy Stool remains valid.
Thanks.
Signed.”
On the 30th day of January, 2015, the then Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko CON, inaugurated Hon. Justice Ajama (rtd) Judicial Commission of Inquiry into deserving cases of Recognition, Adjustment, upgrading and elevation of Chieftaincy Stools in Ondo State. However, the previous administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko could not implement the Commission’s report before the end of its tenure on 23rd of February, 2017.
Following several disputes and agitations emanating as a result of the Chieftaincy conflicts in the state, the State Executive Council under the leadership of the Governor of the State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, at its meeting held on Wednesday 12th January 2022 constituted a six-man committee to review the recommendations of the Justice C.E.T. Ajama Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in Ondo State and prepare the Government White Paper on the report.
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The Committee was led by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Other members of the committee include, Chief Olugbenga Ale, (Chief of Staff), Sir Charles Titiloye, (Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice), Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, (Commissioner for Commerce Co-operative and Industry), Asiwaju Gboyega Adefarati, (Commissioner for Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs as he then was, Mr. Segun Odusanya, (Permanent Secretary, Min. of Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs, Secretary of the committee).
On the 24th of August, 2022, the State Executive Council received the report of the Committee and directed that its decisions on the recommendation should be published in Government WHITE PAPER.
Consequently, Government hereby RELEASES the White Paper on the Hon. Justice Ajama Commission of Inquiry on Chieftaincy Matters in Ondo State.
A brief outline of the content of the white papers is as follows:
The White Paper is divided into Three (3) Parts namely
1. Part I – Disputed Chieftaincy declarations in Ondo State. The Government White Paper under this Part covered 51 disputed chieftaincy stools in various communities making up the 18 Local Government of Ondo State. The content of this section of the White paper is voluminous and run into many pages. The public can get the full details from the just released WHITE PAPER.
2. Part II – Recognition and creation of Minor Chieftaincies Under Part 1 Of Chiefs’ Law
Paramountcy of Traditional Rulers.
Government is in receipt of the recommendation of the Commission on Paramountcy of some Traditional rulers in the state. Government noted that paramountcy is not part of the Chiefs’ Law of Ondo State. Consequently, Government has directed the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to set machinery in motion for the amendment of the Chiefs Law of Ondo State in order to accommodate this recommendation.
This Government met the Justice C. E. T. Ajama report unattended to on assumption of office. A committee of the State Executive Council was set up to review the report and make recommendations. The Committee didn’t present its report until in February 2022 when a new Committee was set up. The report of the Committee eventually made it possible for the Five years old Justice Ajama report to be considered and acted upon by the State Executive Council.
Part III – Upgrading And Elevation Of Existing Chieftaincy Stool.
For full details of the approval of Government, Published Certified True Copy of the White Paper can be obtained from Ondo State Law Commission, Oda Road, Akure and the Library Department of Ondo State Ministry of Justice, Alagbaka, Akure as from Thursday 15th of September, 2022.
Government is hopeful that this exhaustive consideration and review of Chieftaincy Matters in the state will bring peace, unity and progress to our various communities.
