Your Royal Majesties, Kabiyesis and Chiefs.

I am most delighted to be in your midst today as we inaugurate the newly constituted Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Let me start by expressing my sincere appreciation to the members of the dissolved Council under the Chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Aremu Osuolale Akiolu 1, Oba of Lagos for serving the State with a high sense of patriotism during their five year tenure.

This new council is being inaugurated at a time of momentous changes in the evolution of our State, especially with the development by our administration to ensure that every community feels government presence.

Our government has immense regard for our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers and we always welcome advice from our royal fathers in order to maintain social harmony and ensure peaceful coexistence in our State.

I therefore use this opportunity to call on our Royal Fathers and Chiefs and the new leadership of the Council of Obas and Chiefs to continue to address anti-social behavior in their communities. The most important ingredient for development in the State is peace and security and you all have an important role to play in this.

As custodians of the culture and tradition of our people, our royal fathers should also be at the forefront of the State’s tourism campaign. A significant aspect of tourism is our culture and historical sites which fall under your jurisdiction.

These must be showcased to the world and our government is channeling a lot of resources to environmental regeneration and creation of tourist hubs in the State. This project requires your support and cooperation.

It is important to restate that the traditional institution of Kingship in our society, regardless of the advent of modernism, remains a rallying point for the generality of our people. It has been serving as a veritable vehicle for the dissemination of Government policies, programmes and mobilization of the populace for same and will continue to remain relevant to the government.

This is why today’s occasion is very significant. By law, the Council of Obas and Chiefs is to advise the Governor on chieftaincy matters and any other matter of public policy concerning Traditional Rulers or any other class of Chiefs.

It is also to advise the Governor on matters relating to customary laws or cultural affairs, inter-communal relations and maintenance of public order in the State.

The membership of the Council cuts across the Five (5) divisions of the State in acceding to the clamour for additional members and recognition. The preceding principle of equitable distribution was applied across the five (5) Divisions of the State.

I urge the re-constituted Council to justify the confidence reposed in them by using their wealth of experience to support our administration in the task of deepening democracy and bringing development to every part of our State.

Finally, our administration remains committed to the welfare of our Royal Fathers and will continue to support your activities as we have consistently demonstrated.

Your Royal Majesties, I now have the honour to inaugurate the new members of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs and most especially the Permanent Chairman, the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Aremu Osuolale Akiolu 1.

I wish you all a happy and successful tenure. I pray that God will grant you wisdom and good health to contribute positively to the development of our State.

I thank you all for your attention.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko lo je wa logun!