Owu Coronation: Obasanjo tasks 300-member Committee on frugal spending

Former President,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

By Niyi Ogungbola

Against the background of the current economic situations in the country, former President, Chief Obasanjo on Thursday, tasked members of the planning committee for the installation ceremony of the new traditional ruler of Owu land, Abeokuta, Oba Engr.. Saka Matemilola to be frugal in their spendings.

Obasanjo made this disclosure at the formal inauguration of the about 300-member Central Planning Committee, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Conference hall, Abeokuta.

The Committee has a former Military governor of Ondo State and Balogun Erunmu, Major General Ekundayo Opaleye as the Chairman.

The Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi in a release, hinted that the installation ceremony of the new monarch and the year 2022 Odun Omo Olowu celebration may also hold at the same period, as part of bringing modernity and saving costs to the two important occasions. 

The former President said he was satisfied with inclusion of both the Diasporan Owu indigenes and those at home into the committees, stressing that, "the more the merrier for us all. We must all go after our friends and well-wishers to celebrate these occasions with us. We must not leave anybody out.

"Let me however cautioned that we must be frugal in our spending. Before now, the situation is not good and it still not go now, so we must minimise our spending, as we still have more to do with money.  

“We are setting standard. The standard will be emulated by people in the South West region. Owu Kingdom is our collective responsibility. We must all cooperate with the new monarch.

“I am part of this because we want to incorporate the installation of our new king with our annual Odun Omo Olowu celebration. We have a lot to do for the development of Owu Kingdom. We want all Owu communities to know that we now have a new king on the throne. We are doing this to ensure that we take care of their interest.

Among the sub committees inaugurated were Finance and Fund raising, Security, Socials, Entertainment, Venue, Mobilization and Contacts, Publicity and Government Relations among others.