Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has presented the staff and instrument of office to the Alaawe of Aawe, Oba Cornelius Taiwo Oladokun, charging traditional rulers to collaborate with the government to improve security in their domains.

The governor who made the presentation through his deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal, said his administration had done something unprecedented in Afijio local government by presenting a staff of office to Oba Oladokun, who mounted the throne in 1991, about 48 hours after it presented a staff and instrument of office to the Onifiditi of Fiditi.

He noted that there was the need for adequate security in the state in order to sustain the progress and development that his government had brought about, urging the Alaawe and other traditional rulers to collaborate with the government on intelligence gathering.

He also charged the traditional rulers to cooperate with one another, stating that development would be unattainable without cooperation and collaboration.

He said: “Today’s event is a combination of activities that have begun between 1991 and today. The Alaawe mounted the throne in 1991 but the staff of office is being given this afternoon.

“We thank God Almighty for sparing our lives, particularly the lives of Oba Oladokun and his queens to witness this occasion.

“Within 48 hours, the Oyo State government had performed wonders in Afijio local government.

“We presented a staff of office to the Onifiditi within this local government. And, today, we are presenting a staff of office to Oba Oladokun here in Aawe.

“We congratulate every indigene and resident of Afijio Local Government, especially here in Awe.

“As the Kabiyesi has received the staff of office, it is the beginning of another journey. What we desire here is real development and I appreciate the fact that this is an elitist environment. The traditional leaders are well-read and exposed to the realities on ground.

“We need adequate security for the enhancement of progress and development that we want to see here, which our government has been ensuring.

“But I want to urge you, Kabiyesi, to improve on the security, because without security, there cannot be development that we all yearn for. When we see something, let us say something. Report strange faces to concerned authorities, as this is a major challenge for our people.

“Let us work together in the aspect of intelligence gathering, as the issue of security is not all about carrying guns.