BY IBRAHIM KILANI
The appointment and installation of a Don as the new Alafin of Afin Akoko in Akoko northwest local government area of Ondo state after 15years interregnum has attracted comments and reactions from notable Akoko Indigenes.
One of them who is also a community leader, Mr Demola Ijabiyi described the approval of the new monarch by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the greatest thing that ever happened to Afin Akoko community.
Mr Ijabiyi noted that the absence of an Oba in the town in the last 15yrs had slowed down developments with no sense of direction and cohesion.
He described the emergence of Professor Abdulraheem Adejoro as a round peg in a round hole with optimism that would attract development to the ancient town and restore its lost glory.
In his reaction, the immediate past commissioner for physical and urban planning in Ondo state, Hon Rasheed Badmus also gave kudos to Governor Akeredolu and Afin kingmakers for the choice of the scholar whom he described as humble and Godfearing.
Hon Badmus said Oba Adejoro was a popular choice of the people of Afin and expressed the hope that he would use his status as a scholar to better the lots of the town.
He called on the people of Afin to rally round Oba Adejoro for the benefit of the community.
Also, a former speaker of the ondo state house of Assembly, Dr Bakita Bello felicitated the entire Afin Akoko community for having a Professor as their traditional ruler urging the new monarch to use his wealth of experience in education sector to facilitate meaningful development to Afin that had been without an oba for the past 15years.
The former lawmaker urged the Ondo state House of Assembly to legislate and pass a law that would not give recognition to regents after a specific period of time.
According to him many towns are still without substantive monarchs for years due to lack of such legislation.
The last Alafin of Afin was Oba Idris oloruntegbe Suberu who joined his ancestors 15years ago and his daughter, Funmilayo Idris had been the regent of the town since then.
Meanwhile sons and daughters as well as well wishers of Adin Community have been trooping to the ancient town to celebrate with its people despite the fact that the new monarch, Oba Abdulraheem Adejoro has gone into seclusion as part of his installation rites.