…Says Nigerian pains are turning to growth, prosperity
By Adeyinka Adeniran
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) ; Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji were all present at Mapo Hall on Friday when Governor Seyi Makinde presented staff and instrument of office to Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
This is as the President assured Nigerians that their ongoing pain, liken to that of a surgery, is now turning to moment of growth and prosperity, which according to him, is awaiting Nigerians.
The President spoke in a remark while speaking at the Coronation of Ladoja at an event that held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
Tinubu, who described Oba Ladoja’s perseverance, resilience and reliability as impeccable, reminisced on their days in the Nigerian Senate, his travails during his impeachment as governor of Oyo State and his comeback.
He prayed to God to grant the new royal father long life and success on the throne so that he would be celebrated as one of the rare gems to ascend the throne.
He thanked the people of the state for their support when he came to canvas for support and vote ahead the 2023 elections, assuring that all the current pains would soon turn gain.
President Tinubu said, “Let me salute and greet a renowned businessman, lucky imperial majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1. All other leadership here present, the Obas, the traditional leaders, today is an exciting day.
“Kabiyesi, once again, happy birthday to you. It’s a big person, a great honour for me to be here as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to witness your coronation, to witness history, all the things that you’ve started, the deliberations, the expectations, and the history that we shared together.
“For this country, it is a great honour, a moment of history, that you ascend the throne of your forebearers. It’s my prayer that you will live long and be celebrated as one of the rare gems of history to ascend the throne of your forefathers.
“It is my honour, my joy, my pleasure to wish you this day and many more days ahead, many more years of joy, prosperity, and relevance in the institution of democracy, history, and of Obaship in Nigeria.
“Driving through from the airport was a great excitement for me to feel the homecoming, the cheering of the people and their joy in their faces. I enjoy the moment and I value the history of today. I appreciate all of you.
“Thank you very much. This moment is not for long speeches, but to give joy and prayer to the man of the moment, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. If I start to recall the moment in the Senate and the struggle that we had together, you as the governor, the history of the impeachment, your comeback story, your perseverance, your resilience, your determination, your reliability, it’s impeccable.
“Kabiyesi, thank you. I greet all Ibadan, may the joy be lasting and may your children succeed in life. Thank you for supporting me. I came to this Mapo years ago to appeal for your support, you listened to me that it’s my turn and we are there already. Thank you
“To many of you here present again, today I am honoured and I am very proud to give you the cheering news that the economy has turned the corner. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Your suffering is a pain, a pain of a painful surgery, but it’s now returned to the moment of growth and prosperity is awaiting us ahead. Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your endurance. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you.”
In his remarks after prese ting the staff and instruments of office to Oba Ladoja, Governor Makinde said the Olubadan traditional system and succession process are sacrosanct and must continue to be upheld.
He maintained that all challenges associated with the Olubadan Chieftaincy System in recent years are over, even as he prayed that the reign of Oba Ladoja would usher in peace, progress and development in the city.
Presenting the staff of office to the new Olubadan, the governor said: “In front of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is here with us to celebrate the coronation and presentation of staff of office, I, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Subsections 1 and 2 of section 20 of the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Volume 1, laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000, and by virtue of all other powers enabling in that behalf, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I.”
Governor Makinde congratulated all the sons and daughters of Ibadanland, noting that the era of Oba Ladoja has begun to witness positive developments.
According to him, history was made on Friday when President Tinubu, landed at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, in the first wide-bodied aircraft to ever land in the facility.
Governor Makinde pointed out that the ascension of the new Olubadan was met with excitement by residents of the city, stating that this was an indication that the people want the Olubadan tradition to be upheld.
He said: “I congratulate all sons and daughters of Ibadanland at home and in the Diaspora. The excitement everywhere in this city today shows that we must uphold our tradition. I want to say that all challenges associated with Ibadan traditional institutions are now over and behind us.
“What this means is that the tradition, the succession and process are now sacrosanct. We know everything about that succession. Today, history was literally made. The president landed at the Ibadan Airport with the first wide-bodied aircraft ever to land in Ibadan Airport. This shows that the era of Oba Ladoja has begun to witness positive developments. So, I want to congratulate Kabiyesi and to say that his reign shall be peaceful, bring progress and development to Ibadanland.”
In his acceptance speech, Oba Ladoja said Ibadan is blessed with highly resourceful people both indigenes and residents in the city and that its forefathers made great decisions in accommodating leading federal establishments and private businesses, which must now give back to the people of Ibadan.
The new Oba pleaded with President Tinubu to make the creation of Ibadan State from the current Oyo State a reality before May 2027.
Oba Ladoja declared that his reign would be about service to Ibadan, Oyo State, Yorubaland, Nigeria and Africa, stating that he would serve the people to the best of his ability, as according to him, all that is left for him to do is service to humanity, since God spared his life to witness his 81st birthday and also attain the throne of Olubadan.
He equally declared that his reign would be about urban renewal, as many of the communities in the city, which are fast becoming slums, would be rebuilt.
He said: “This staff of office that the governor, our son in whom we are well-pleased, has presented to me is a source of joy to all Ibadan sons and daughters. One year ago, some people thought Ibadan would scatter, but Ibadan has a way of settling its matters and we are here today in unity and oneness.
“I appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, and the Coronation Committee for this event. I also appreciate the Olubadan-in-Council; they all supported me. They are the kingmakers and if they did not agree to my nomination, I cannot be here today.
“I am assuring the people of Ibadan that since God spared me till today, I will serve them and I will do it with all my powers. There is nothing else I am looking for in life. Yesterday, I clocked 81. Some people do not have this privilege.
“So, I recognise that the fact that God spared me till date, what remains is to serve every resident of Ibadan, serve Oyo State, serve Yorubaland, serve Nigeria and Africa, to the best of my ability.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, also congratulated Oba Ladoja, stressing that his ascension to the throne marked the climax of his resilient journey.
Lawal equally appreciated President Tinubu, Governor Makinde, his wife, royal fathers and all dignitaries, who witnessed the occasion and supported the Oyo State Government.
Similarly, in their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Olubadan Coronation Planning Committee, Chief Bayo Oyero; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII)), Ajeniyi Ajewole and the Agbaoye of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Karim, appreciated Governor Makinde for his support and commitment to tradition, describing the coronation of the 44th Olubadan as a blessing to Ibadanland.
The trio prayed that the reign of the new Olubadan would bring more growth, progress and prosperity to Ibadanland and Oyo State.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola Ojo, while moving the vote of thanks, appreciated everyone that graced the occasion.
The event also had in attendance former Governors of Ogun State, Senators Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Governors of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankaso and Ibrahim Shekarau; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and a wife of the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja.
Oyo State Government functionaries, who attended the event include the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Debo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazim Adeniyi; members of Oyo State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers and chairmen of Local Governments from Ibadan.
Notable royal fathers from all parts of the country, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, among many others, also graced the event.
Also in attendance were the Forum of Former Governor’s Wives in Nigeria (2003-2007), service commanders and religious leaders, among others.
