2021: New year ushers in hope, aspirations, says Aragbiji, congratulates Nigerians

The Eminent Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV has described the just ended year 2020 as pessimistic and despairing, adding however that the new year 2021 brought good tidings ushering in hopes and aspirations. 

This was contained in a statement signed by Jimoh Olorede where the traditional ruler expressed hope of a better country beginning from the new  year. 

The monarch with his expression of good tidings, congratulated Osun indigenes and all Nigerians on the eventual passage of the pandemic year 2020, and especially their safe transitions to the new year. 

On the challenges and peculiarities of Osun, Aragbiji lauded the state governor, Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola on what he described as application of uncommon wisdom in his effective and proactive governance of the state. 

Commending the governor on his prudent and efficient management of the grossly insufficient fiscal allocation to the state, coupled with untold economic hardships occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic, Oba Olabomi in the statement said it took frugality and financial expertise to achieve the strides recorded by Oyetola within two years in office. 

The traditional ruler, also in the statement, however, called on all the stakeholders, especially top security agents on the need to overhaul the porous security apparatus in the country. 

"The spate of security challenges confronting this country namely insurgence, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, ritual killings, child trafficking, herdsmen and a host of others, is alarming.

"Proactive steps to stead the tide of the spate must be decisively taken with alacrity. 

"Consequently, I called on all the stakeholders concerned in this regard to collaborate their efforts, expertise and experience for the purpose of surmounting these surmountable challenges", the monarch said.

He also urged his traditional colleagues to collaborate with government stakeholders on security provisions in their respective jurisdictions, saying community peace translates to national peace.