An Egba high chief and father of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Alani Bankole, has warned traditional rulers in Egbaland, Ogun State, against harbouring criminals, especially kidnappers, in their domains.
Bankole spoke shortly after he was installed as the Apena of Egbaland at the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.
Oba Gbadebo installed Bankole as the occupant of the statutory traditional seat which is in the status of a second class stool.
Former Governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Senator Gbenga Daniel; Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso; Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola; among other personalities, graced the occasion.
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In his inaugural address, the new apena expressed concern over insecurity in Egbaland, most especially kidnapping.
He said, “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 further said, “To you, Egba youths, it is time to go to work. Gone are the days when we claimed that the best lawyer was from Egbaland, the president from Egbaland and 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.”
