By Adeola Badru, Ibadan

Traditional rulers across the seven political zones of Oyo State have declared support for the state government in its fight against illegal mining.

The monarchs made the declaration yesterday while addressing journalists at the press conference room of the Governor’s Office shortly after meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde behind closed-doors.

At the meeting were the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye; Olubadan of Ibadan, represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi; Onpetu of Ipetu, Oba Sunday Oyediran; Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye; Akibio of Ilora, Oba Steven Oyeniyi and others.

While briefing newsmen on behalf of the other monarchs on the outcome of the closed-door meeting with the governor, Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao commended Governor Makinde for his swift response to the explosion that rocked Ibadan last week, while commiserating with victims of the blast.

While commiserating with the governor and the people, the monarch assured that traditional rulers in the state have resolved to deepen their support for the state government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence in order to curb the menace of illegal mining in the state.

He added that the traditional rulers swung into action after the incident of the Ibadan explosion and have identified critical areas that require urgent supportive attention.

Oba Alao listed the identified areas to include security lapse, medical, and humanitarian challenges, noting however, that Governor Makinde has already put measures in place to address them adequately and that the monarchs were proud of the governor.

“We’ve been able to identify three tracks, first is the issue of some security lapses, medical and humanitarian challenges. All these three tracks, the governor has put adequate measures in place to address them,” he said.

“Also, he has briefed us how has been working in collaboration with the federal government, to be precise, the President of Nigeria.”

“And also, the federal government has sent relevant agencies to liaise with the state government in order to mitigate the damage and try as much as possible to do their best to cushion the effects of the explosion.”

“On our part, we have been able to come up with the same views with the state government, all of us as traditional rulers across the five geopolitical zones of Oyo state, whereby, we’ve resolved to provide more support for government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence to curb the issue of illegal mining,” he added.