The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Tuesday said that he was tired of receiving the news of death of prominent Ibadan indigenes which has been successive since January.
Singling our eight prominent indigenes who had passed away from January till date, Oba Adetunji said he thought it wise to seek the face of God to stop the continuous deaths.
Notable indigenes that have died in the last seven months are former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Alh. Amusa Gbadamosi who died on January 5; Dr Lekan Are who died in January 18; Alh. Emiola Adeshina who died on January 29; Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) who died on April 21 and Chief Adebayo Adetunji (Onisiga) who died on May 23.
Others are Chief Areoye Oyebola who died on March 10; former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi who died on June 25 and Chief Bode Akidele who died on June 29.
At an interdenominational prayer organized by the monarch in conjunction with the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Oba Adetunji prayed for emergence of new generation of great indigenes who will lift up the glory of the city. He said the eight deceased indigenes were the pride of Ibadan whose lives impacted the city positively.
“I take responsibility for whatever happens in Ibadan land. We are talking about people who passed on at the average age of 85. We are talking about the pride of Ibadan people whom we are going to miss for their contributions to, not only Ibadan land, but the nation at large. They have impacted our lives positively.
“When they died, it is important to recognize them, pray for their reposed souls and to pray to God to provide new generation of great indigenes who will lift up the city,” Oba Adetunji said.
In his opening remark, the CCII president, Chief Yemi Soladoye, noted that the prayer was organized specifically for the eight Ibadan indigenes who died from January to June.
He said: “We are happy that the Olubadan deemed it fit to organize this interdenominational prayer for the reposed souls and Ibadan land in general.”
Christian, Muslim clerics and traditionalists offered prayers at the event.
The high chiefs at the prayer session include Lekan Balogun; Owolabi Olakulehin; Tajudeen Ajibola; Eddy Oyewole; Lateef Gbadamosi-Adebimpe; Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Kolawole Adegbola and Hamidu Ajibade.
Dignitaries at the event include Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Chief Daud Makanjuola; Oloye Lekan Alabi, representative of the chief Imam of Ibadan land, Abdulfatai Alaga, and the Iyaloja of Ibadan land, Alh. Iswat Abiola Ameringun.
