The Olubadan of Ibadanland and Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Thursday led a delegation of prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State on a thank-you visit to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The royal delegation expressed appreciation to the President for the successful rescue of the abducted teachers and students from Oriire Local Government Area, while also commending his administration’s commitment to addressing the deplorable condition of key federal roads linking Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State with neighbouring states.
Oba Ladoja highlighted major road projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the proposed dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway traversing the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State. According to the monarch, the completion of these strategic projects would unlock enormous socio-economic opportunities, improve connectivity and accelerate development across numerous towns and communities along the corridors. He stressed that the importance of quality road infrastructure cannot be overemphasised and pledged the unwavering support and cooperation of the people at the grassroots to ensure the smooth execution of the projects.
On the recent release of the abducted teachers and students from Oriire, Oba Ladoja said that although the traditional rulers never doubted the capability of the nation’s security agencies, there were genuine concerns at some point over the fate of the victims.
In his words: “This is why we believe that the efforts of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all stakeholders are commendable.”
The Olubadan noted that the appreciation visit was initially scheduled to begin with a visit to the Oyo State Governor on Wednesday but could not take place as planned.
The royal delegation comprised the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; and the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Others were the Alajaawa of Ajaawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin, who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso; and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan, who represented the Okere of Saki.
