Federal Government to rebuild burnt Alaafin’s palace

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Ondo, Oyo, State News Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

THE Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, has given indications that the Federal Government would give a helping hand in rebuilding the burnt part of the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.

Akinruntan, who led an advanced presidential team on a sympathy visit to the Alaafin on Saturday, said President Goodluck Jonathan was deeply saddened and shocked by the palace inferno.

The Ugbo monarch said he was at the palace in three capacities, as the fore-runner of the emissary by Mr. President, as the Chairman, Yoruba Conflict Resolution Committee and as the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Traditional Council and disclosed that the President specifically asked him to deliver his message to Alaafin, with a promise that he (President) would still send a powerful delegation to deliver his letter of sympathy as well as the necessary assistance towards the reconstruction of the burnt area of the palace.

Oba Akinruntan, who was later conducted round the razed apartments by Alaafin, described the incident as a disaster, not only to the Alaafin and the people of Oyo, but to the entire Yoruba people and urged for concerted efforts by every well-meaning sons and daughters of Yorubaland to rise to the challenge of making the palace the pride of place for all.

Alaafin was full of praises for Oba Akinruntan, whose ancestors he traced to be the first original settlers of the ancient Ife town, recalling that the Olugbo’s ancestors were the Ugbos that gave the Ifes nightmare before they left for their present site in the riverine area of Ondo State.

Oba Adeyemi also commended Olugbo for his untiring efforts to ensure that Yoruba Obas live in unity and oneness through the conflict resolution committee being chaired by him, stressing that he was ready to attend any meeting of the prominent Obas towards living in peace amongst themselves

Alaafin, however, maintained that there had never been a time in the history of Yoruba that Oyo was under any other town in Yorubaland and this had also informed his position, which to some people made him controversial.

-Guardianwp_posts