Olu of Idofoi Confers First Aremo Chieftaincy Title on Gbenga Akinwande

The Olu of Idofoi Land, in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Olatunji Abioro JP, has conferred the Aremo of Idofoi chieftaincy title on a scholar and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Gbenga Akinwande (PhD).

The conferment makes Akinwande the first person to receive the prestigious chieftaincy title in Idofoi Land.

Engr. Akinwande was honoured with the title at a ceremony held at the Idofoi Cultural Centre, Idofoi, in the Ayetoro area of the State.

While receiving the chieftaincy title, the newly installed Aremo of Idofoi Land described the honour as a privilege, pledging to use the position to promote the interests of the community both at home and abroad.

In his acceptance speech, Akinwande expressed appreciation to Oba Abioro and the people of Idofoi Land for finding him worthy of the honour, assuring that he would deploy the recognition towards advancing the interests and development of the community.

He also highlighted the historical connections between Idofoi, Ayetoro and other Yoruba communities, tracing their ancestral roots to migrations from the old Oyo Empire following its collapse in the 19th century.

According to him, hunters, farmers, blacksmiths, craftsmen and artisans migrated from the Oyo axis in search of new settlements and opportunities for trade, commerce and agricultural activities.

He explained that their eventual settlement in Ayetoro, alongside other groups from the old Oyo Empire, contributed to the development of the present-day township and several other communities across Yewaland, southwestern Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

The APC chieftain, who described himself as proud of his ancestral heritage, said he would continue to promote the history, values and interests of his community in contemporary Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.

Beyond the traditional honour, Akinwande used the occasion to call for constitutional amendments that would give traditional institutions a formal role in Nigeria’s governance structure.

He urged the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate a House of Chiefs, similar to the arrangement that existed in the old Western Region during the First Republic.

He argued that traditional institutions, being among the oldest forms of governance in Nigeria, deserved greater constitutional recognition and a platform to contribute to the management of the country’s affairs.

Akinwande observed that countries such as the United Kingdom and some Scandinavian nations had maintained traditional monarchies alongside modern democratic governance.

He said the coexistence of monarchies and democratic institutions in those countries demonstrated the possibility of incorporating traditional institutions into contemporary governance systems.

He therefore called on the Senate and other relevant stakeholders to consider constitutional provisions that would give traditional rulers, including Obas, Emirs and other traditional leaders across the country, a more defined role in national affairs.

Akinwande, a grassroots development enthusiast, reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the interests of Idofoi Land and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of his people.

He therefore thanked the chiefs, elders, members of the Akinwande family and other guests who attended the ceremony to celebrate the conferment.

The post Olu of Idofoi Confers First Aremo Chieftaincy Title on Gbenga Akinwande appeared first on OPERA NEWS.