Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised to overhaul the chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland, just has he implored the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1 to ensure that he live above board during his reign.
Governor Ajimobi who stated this at the coronation ceremony of Oba Adetunji as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan said the overhaul will ensure speedy completion of appointment procedures and also ensure the insulation of high chiefs from partisan politics as the father of all.
According to Ajimobi, since royalty is service, the “Oba is expected to be above board and rallying point of all citizens. He is the ruler of Ibadanland and symbol of unity and final say on customary matters. The Olubadan is faced with the task of building peace”.
Presenting the Certificate of Instrument of Office to the monarch at the historic Mapo Hall, Ajimobi reminded the gathering that nobody can be qualified to be Olubadan if he is found to suffer from physical infirmity or declared to be a lunatic or unsound mind.
The Governor, apparently speaking on the Legal tussle by the Seriki Chiefs in Court, noted that the Chiefs Law regulating the succession to the stool of Olubadan recognizes rotation to the stool between the Otun and Balogun lines, noting that the ascension to the throne is “stricly rotational”.
“The Choice of the new Olubadan from the Balogun line is customary, traditional, legal and satisfied all legal provisions without legal incumberances. The council having presented him, I now approve this appointment. He is now the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is a famous business tycoon and music recording guru discovering many talents sent across the world”
He however urged him to work in sustenance of the prevailing peace and tranquility in the city and the state at large.
Speaking on his plan for the ancient city, Oba Adetunji informed that his priority was to ensure the actualization of Ibadan State which he said the city truly deserved.
He said part of his vision during his reign was to ensure that Ibadan Airport is giving a facelift to international standard.
“I give thanks to Almighty Allah, the Government and the entire people of Ibadanland for crowning me as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, 40 years after I assumed the leadership of my clan and immediate environment as Mogaji.”
Adetunji promised to do all his best for the development of the city and country in general.
“My first promotion which made today possible came in 1978, when I was appointed Jagun Balogun. And I will do my utmost best for the peace, progress and development of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general.
“Of all the regional capitals of the old regions, the capital of the then Western Region is yet to have a state. God sparing my life, I will work with the Government and the people of Ibadanland and our friends to ensure that Ibadan State which we truly deserve is made possible.
“Much is still been expected on the Ibadan cargo Terminal, however a truly International Airport will complement the progress we are currently experiencing and usher in rapid development of our state.
“Lastly, our children do not speak their mother tongue fluently, it at all we all know that English man will not drop his language to speak our own mother tongue. I would be delighted to see our children speaking their mother tongue freely in future.
The Mapo hall was filled to capacity with dignitaries such as the Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his counterparts, Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos); Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu; former governors of Oyo State Dr. Omololu Olunloyo; Senator Rasidi Ladoja and his wife Mutiat and Adebayo Alao Akala; former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly Hon. Najeem Salam; Chief Judge of the state Justice Mukthar Abimbola.
Royal fathers in attendance include the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111; Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ojaja 11; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Ologunebi Ajinase 1, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; Ayangunrin of Ikorodu.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division Ibadan, Major General Laz Iloh, Commissioner of Police in the state Leye Oyebade; MD of First Bank Dr. Sola Adeduntan, the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan Professor Idowu Olayinka also graced the event.
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