The traditional ruler of Isanlu-Isin community in the Isin Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Solomon Oloyede, has said that he celebrated his 50th birthday in grandeur to raise N200 million for construction of a befitting modern palace for the community.

Speaking at the playground of Baptist Primary school, the venue of the ceremony in Isanlu-Isin at the weekend, Oba Oloyede said no traditional ruler in the history of Isin local government had a modern befitting palace.

“I want to have a befitting palace that will be an architectural masterpiece so that when we are talking about palaces in Yorubaland, it will be one of those to behold,” he said.

In his appeal to the state government at the occasion, Oba Oloyede called for construction of roads traversing the community, such as the road from Ijara-Oke Onigbin-Isanlu Isin, Owa Onire-Owa Kajola and Isanlu Isin-Omu Aran.

Funds were raised among invited dignitaries, those conferred with honorary traditional titles and wealthy individuals in the area.

Indigenes of Isanlu-Isin community both home and in the Diaspora including their friends came out in large number to celebrate the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Oloyede, as he marked 50 years birthday.

The occasion also witnessed conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on 20 dignitaries, including Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State who was conferred with Akinrogun of Isin land.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Ahmed, while reading the acceptance speech for the traditional title, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Demola Banu, said that traditional rulers would continue to be a link between the government and the people.

“So, I appeal to our royal fathers to always strive to maintain peace, harmony and good relationship within and outside their community. I urge you to always settle all disputes peacefully, especially those regarding chieftaincy and boundary matters.

“I see this as a further challenge to redouble our efforts towards bringing prosperity, peace and progress to the generality of people of Kwara State. It is heart warming to state that Isin people’s reputation for peace, progress and enterprise is worthy of emulation by all,” he said.

The governor also reaffirmed commitment of the state government to grass roots development through provision of infrastructure, saying it was evident in the construction of rural roads, provision of potable water, electrification of communities, construction of new classrooms and renovation of existing ones and construction of befitting palaces for our royal fathers in the state.

“More than at any other period in our history, the role of traditional rulers and institutions in ensuring peaceful co-existence and progress in our society is paramount. This is why government accords a lot of respect to our traditional institutions bearing in mind their capacity to enhance social economic development of their domains, our state and the nation as a whole,” he said.