BY  Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS—As part of measures to uphold and elevate the values of traditional institutions in the state, Governor Babatunde Fashola has handed over a 5,000 square meters ultra-Modern Palace to Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya, the Alara of Ilara.

The monarch is also the chairman, Council of Obas in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Fashola said the nation’s royal fathers deserved honour for their immeasurable contributions towards disseminating important information on policies and programmes of the state government to the people at the grassroots.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, noted that traditional rulers were the custodians of indigenous heritage and, as such, should be adequately catered for by all and sundry.
He, however, urged the people of Ilara to continue giving necessary support to the government by paying their taxes regularly and helping to secure public infrastructure in their respective areas.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, explained that contract for the construction of the ultra-modern palace was awarded on November 17, 2009.
The Alara of Ilara, Oba Okunola Adesanya, expressed profound gratitude to government for building such monumental palace for him, describing the Palace as the first of its kind in Epe division.

Oba Adesanya, who was crowned on October 10, 1960, however called on the state government to assist in the regular maintenance of the palace, adding that it was also imperative to fence the new palace land which occupies 5, 000 square meters to preserve it from encroachment.