Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu flanked by the Chairman of Historical Archive and Royal Compendium Launching Committee, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti (left) and the Specia Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Aderemi Ajayi during the committee's visit to the deputy governor in her office in Ado-Ekiti recently.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu has described as a welcome development plans by Ekiti monarchs in the state to produce and launch a compendium on all towns and villages.
She noted that the availability of authentic historical facts and records will eliminate communal clashes, chieftaincy tussles and other unnecessary bickering affecting peaceful co-existence in the society.
Prof Adelabu made the observation when she hosted members of the Ekiti State Council of Obas’ Historical Archive and Royal Compendium Launching Committee in her office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
According to her, the documented historical records, will prevent communities that often take up arms against their neighbours as they would have read and know that they have same origin and too closely related to go into war.
Prof Adelabu, who lauded the idea of the Ekiti State Historical Archive and Royal Compendium, said the document will be an authentic and reliable historical fact of the Yoruba race and Ekiti land in particular.
She assured the committee that the project will enjoy government’s support for posterity.
The deputy governor said her boss, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, with his background as an historian, would naturally support such an idea by ensuring that the committee gets the necessary support.
The Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, who doubles as the chairman of the committee, said the importance of origin and history to the development of any society cannot be over-emphasized, considering the reference role history plays in the preservation of the societal norms and culture.
The monarch explained that the desire to have authentic historical facts for unborn generations and ensure the sustenance of Ekiti homogeneity, among other reasons, informed the Council of Obas interest in the project.
He said the compendium will contain the history of all the 131 towns in Ekiti State, their cultural heritage and other historical peculiarities of all the towns, as well as the biography and photographs of all the present monarchs.
Oba Adebayo solicited the support of the state government in the launching of the historical compendium, adding that the monarchs have a plan to raise funds with the public presentation of the compendium.
He said the Council will use the funds realized from the public presentation to establish a centre for historical archives in the Land of Honour State.
Last modified: August 22, 2013
