An Egba leader and the father of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Alani Bankole, issued a stern warning to coronet Obas affiliated with the Egba Traditional Council in Ogun State, urging them to cease sheltering kidnappers within their domains.
Bankole conveyed this message on Saturday following his installation as the Apena of Egbaland at the palace of the Alake and the paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
His installment as the fifth Apena of Egba was a deeply cherished achievement for Bankole.
In his inaugural address, the new Apena expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in Egbaland, particularly the recurring incidents of kidnapping. He emphasized the perilous nature of allowing kidnappers to operate unchecked within any traditional ruler’s jurisdiction.
“It’s suicidal for any Oba to allow kidnappers in their area. From now on, you have to be very careful. If I have my way and Kabiyesi allows me, any Oba who allows kidnappers to operate in his area will be arrested because you know about them.
“There is no way you cannot know about people living in your area,” he said.
The Apena called on the traditional rulers to be ready to work with the Alake, a retired military officer, in order to get rid of criminals from Egbaland.
He also tasked the youths to wake up and sustain the records of the Egbas in leadership positions.
“To you Egba youths, it is time to go to work. Gone were the days that we claimed that the best lawyer was from Egbaland, the President from Egbaland, the Speaker from Egbaland. What are we doing to keep such records going? So, the youths, let’s wake up and make sure we keep the flag flying,” Bankole said.
Bankole pledged his unwavering loyalty to Alake and dedicated himself to the advancement and progress of Egbaland.
The event saw the presence of prominent figures such as former Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, his predecessor Chief Segun Osoba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, and the immediate past High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola.
