Paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr Victor Kiladejo Adesimbo, Jilo III and the Osemawe of Ondo, has bestowed on member representing OndoEast/Ondo West federal constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly, Hon. Abiola Makinde, the chieftaincy title of Atunluse of Ondo Kingdom.
The conferment of the chieftaincy title took place during a ceremony organised in celebration of the 70th birthday and 17th anniversary on the throne of the traditional ruler at his palace in Ondo on Friday.
The traditional noted that the conferment of the chieftaincy title on Makinde was borne out of his immense contributions to the general wellbeing of the people of Ondo and the overall development of the town.
Oba Adesimbo further stated that individuals such as Makinde need to be encouraged so that the zeal they have for human and infrastructure development will not drop.
Speaking shortly after the conferment, Hon. Abiola Makinde, said he will continue to impact positively on the people of his constituency and by extension the entire indigenes of Ondo State.
He said: “We have a lot more to do. Efforts are ongoing to construct a park and zoo for our children so they do not have to travel far distance to have access to these basic social amenities. I will be doing the groundbreaking latest by December. That will be the first of its kind in Ondo State.
“We are still going to do more for school instructional materials and textbooks for primary and secondary students. We have started and we will not stop.
“Every child, every student, primary and secondary must have textbooks to read,” he promised.
Makinde further stated that the less privileged in the constituency would feel his largesse more as they deserve to be treated equally just like other constituents.
“We have a lot to do for the less privileged and my wife, Dr Rhoda Makinde, initiated the programme and it will continue to go round. That is the job of Atunluse of Ondo Kingdom,” he said.
“I Iam excited. I give glory to God by the title given to me as Atunluse of Ondo Kingdom by Oba Dr Victor Kiladejo . I’m excited and I’m encouraged for what this title has given me because I see it as an encouragement.”
Also honoured with chieftaincy titles alongside Makinde are: the governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde who was conferred with the title of Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom, former PDP chairman in Osun State, Senator Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi (Bobasofin of Ondo Kingdom) and Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Adesanmi Oladiji, who is now the Baamoye of Ondo Kingdom.
Dignitaries present during the occasion are: governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja I, Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, representing the Senate President, Senator Goodswill Akpabio, former governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel, Ondo APC state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, representative of Ondo state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Wale Akinterinwa amongst others.