August 7, 2014

A MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED TO ILOTIN ELITES AT A MEETING

HELD FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2014 ON THE SELECTION OF ONIKUN OF
IKUN-EKITI BY DR. GABRIEL S. BOMIDE, NEW YORK, USA.

Dear Compatriots:

Im very delighted to be a part of this historic meeting and to contribute
my own quota towards your deliberation concerning the selection of a
candidate for the vacant position of the Onikun of Ikun-Ekiti. I thank you
for this great honor.

Todays meeting is very significant because it will determine the destiny
of the present and future generations of Ikun-Ekiti. It is therefore essential
that we come up with a credible and viable candidate that we can finally
present to the General Ilemo, the Owarikun Kingmaker, and the entire
people of Ikun-Ekiti.

I recognize that the business of choosing a monarch has its conventions, cultural
observances, and due process. However, the challenges of modern day Nigeria
require the need to enthrone a King that is knowledgeable, visionary, selfless,
responsive to the yearning of the people, capable of fighting for the rights and
freedom of the community, and capable of exerting his influence to ensure that
Ikun-Ekiti gets its fair share of the dividends of democracy at all levels of
government. Im confident that with God on our side, the outcome of todays
meeting will produce a candidate that has what it takes to meet these challenges.

To these ends, I hereby submit the following proposal for consideration,
based entirely on merit:
1. The Ilotin Ruling House must first establish objective and clearly
defined eligibility criteria for all interested candidates for the vacant
position of the Onikun. These criteria should include the followings:
(a) A minimum of Bachelors degree in any discipline from an
accredited university, with verifiable supporting
documentation.
(b) A written record of Ikun community service.
(c) A written vision statement of where the candidate wants to
lead Ikun-Ekiti.

2. The Ilotin Ruling House should use the eligibility criteria stipulated
above to screen all interested candidates vying for the position of
Onikun, with a view to selecting the most qualified candidate.

3. The candidate that best meets the eligibility criteria should finally be
presented by the Ilotin Ruling House to the appropriate traditional
authorities for consideration, ratification and eventual enthronement.

At this juncture, please allow me to sound a note of caution that a house that is
divided against itself cannot stand. I therefore appeal to the entire Ilotin people
to please unite behind the final candidate chosen by the Ruling House, to ensure
that peace reigns supreme during and after the selection process. We want a
strong, unified community and a peaceful transition.

I would like to commend the Ilotin Ruling House and community leaders
the Olotin, Elemo, Afin, Pa Fasanu, Pa Ajiboye, Pa Kayode, and Prince
Jibola Olajide, for their selfless efforts to ensure peace and harmony
during the ongoing Onikun selection process. May God continue to
increase them in wisdom in the onerous task of community leadership.

Finally, I thank you for your attention and most important for the
consideration you have given to this memorandum. I also wish you a
fruitful deliberation. Remain blessed!


Therefore, let's keep on pursuing those things that bring peace and that lead to
building up one another Romans 14:19 (ISV).