The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has announced the conferment of a traditional title of Aare Jagunmolu of Ibadanland on Governor Seyi Makinde
The monarch announced that the formal installation of the Governor will take place at a later date.
The Ibadan monarch stated this at the investiture of Engr Seyi Makinde as a Distinguished Member of the Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU).
The investiture programme and a Special Reception was held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
At the programme, the governor said that his administration has so far executed some landmark projects without accessing any borrowed fund.
Speaking further, Governor Makinde told the gathering that the Ibadan Progressive Union was the only social Club he belongs to due to the uniqueness of the association adding that his late father was a member of the association.
“To set the record straight, Ibadan Progressive Union is the only Club I belong because my father was also a member before he died.”
The Governor promised to continually contribute his own quota for development of Ibadan, adding that all well-meaning Ibadan indigenes must contribute in moving the historic city in particular and Oyo State in general forward.
“The issue is, we don’t have any other place of origin and, as far as that is the situation, we will continue to do our best for Ibadan and Oyo State,” he said.
While speaking on the cleanliness of Ibadan, the Governor stated that a refuse disposal architecture was being put in place as according to him, his administration has zero-tolerance for indiscriminate waste disposal.
“So, let me properly address the issue of environmental sanitation in Oyo State. You can all recall that a few weeks back, I personally led my team to clean up Ibadan and there has been an improvement because the emergency is still being enforced. While that is going on, a holistic solution is being worked out and, very soon, a new refuse disposal architecture will take place in Oyo State.
“Another issue we have raised here is about the pillars that this administration is resting on. It was a deliberate action when we allocated almost 25 per cent of the estimate of the budget that we took to the House of Assembly on education.”
The President of Ibadan Progressive Union, Engineer Olayinka Alli, who spoke earlier said that pioneer members of the IPU set it up as a platform to ensure qualitative education for every Ibadan indigene.
Ali said: “So, we were happy when Governor Makinde took the mantle of leadership and took education to the next level in Oyo State.
“During the time of Lam Adesina when people were complaining that Ibadan was dirty, the IPU as an association employed many sweepers to be sweeping and making the environment clean. Those were part of the legacies which IPU laid down for generations to come.
“IPU is committed to the development of Ibadan land. We have come here to celebrate one of our own. The first thing we noticed when we met him was humility. We even thought by the time he becomes the Governor when power and authority will come in touch with his wealth, he may begin to misbehave. But we thank God for his life. He has remained essentially of himself.
“The vision that formed IPU is to give Ibadan people education so that they can become liberated and we appreciate him for taking it upon him to face that huge task immediately he got into office.
“I wept when I received the news that the Governor released running cost for primary and secondary schools in Ibadan because it has never happened before. I was shocked to the bone marrow. When the race started, some of us put all we had into it and thank God that He answered our prayers. Permit me to say that God is an Ibadan man. I am saying this because I know that God grants the requests of Ibadan people. Now, everywhere you go, it is Seyi Makinde.”
Personalities at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief ‘Lekan Balogun; the Iyalode of Ibadan land, High Chief Theresa Oyekanmi; Primate Ola Makinde; political office holders and many other distinguished personalities in the State.
