Culture

Olubadan Rolls Out Security, Economic Initiatives

By Web News 291

By Olawale Asake

The Olubadan of Ibadanland and Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has inaugurated the Ibadan Community Guards to boost grassroots security.

Oba Ladoja held the ceremony at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan which prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan attended, including members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.

The monarch said the guards will work with government security agencies to improve policing across the eleven local government areas in Ibadanland.

He said security is a shared responsibility, noting that the government cannot handle it alone.

The monarch also launched “Gaari Ibadan,” an initiative of the Economic and Investment Committee a project which aims to revive struggling companies and investments in the city.

Former Minister of Trade and Investment, Chief Onikepo Akande, who chairs the committee, said traditional institutions must go beyond preserving culture and also help shape the city’s economic future.

Former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, who serves as co-chairman, attended the event while Mogajis, Baales, and other committee members were also present.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Some residents of Ibadan who received food items, school bags and cash gifts as part of Oba Rasheed Ladoja's giving back to society
Lifestyle

Lent/Ramadan: Oba Ladoja Donates Food, Cash to 5,000 Residents

By Web News 326

By Olawale Asake

In the spirit of Ramadan and Lent, and as part of his ongoing commitment to giving back to society, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, distributed food items, cash, and school bags to more than 5,000 residents of Ibadanland.

Beneficiaries went home with cash and essential foodstuffs including rice, beans, semovita, garri, maize, and noodles, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the monarch.

Represented at the event by his wife, Olori Rashidat Ladoja, the Olubadan’s generosity was highlighted as a long-standing tradition.

Olori Ladoja noted that the gesture has been carried out annually for the past 20 years, with this year marking the first since Oba Ladoja’s ascension as Olubadan, reaching a record number of beneficiaries.

She described the monarch as a leader who prioritizes the welfare of his people, both during his time as Senator and Governor, and now as Olubadan.

Several beneficiaries—including elderly men and women, youths, and children—prayed for the Olubadan and his family, thanking them for consistently putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Religion

We’ve brought economic stability to Oyo State – Makinde

By Web News 261

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, says his administration has been able to bring about a level of economic stability in the state with the monthly payment of about 24 billion naira in salaries to state and local government workers.

The governor stated this when Muslim faithful, comprising clerics, traditional rulers and political office holders at the federal, state and local government levels paid a visit to his Ikolaba, Ibadan home, shortly after the Eid-el-Fitri prayers at the Eid Ground, Agodi, Ibadan.

He said his government’s commitment to expanding the economy of the state has also been yielding results in terms of private sector investments, as more private sector players have become comfortable investing in the state.

The delegation, which was led by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; Senator representing Oyo South, Oloye Sharafadeen Alli; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and Professor Kamil Oloso, among others.

While addressing the delegation, the governor congratulated the Muslim Ummah on witnessing the end of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitri 2025.

He lauded them for their prayers, patriotism and commitment to the state as well as their support for his government, noting that the economic stability and developments being witnessed in the state were as a result of the peace and harmonious coexistence among residents of the state.

While noting that the new Oyo State is renowned for peace, unity and harmony, the governor urged all residents to work hard to sustain the atmosphere, adding that every good thing they desire for the state is tied to the existence of peace and harmony in the state.

“One of those things we desire is economic stability in our state. Now, every four weeks, N24 billion gets into the economy of Oyo State through workers’ salaries. The wage bill of the state is now around N14 billion, while that of the local government is about N10 billion.”

“Similarly on the private sector side, a lot of people are now comfortable to come and invest in Oyo State and we have seen quite a lot of investments. Yesterday, we were at the Ijaiye Farm Settlement because of the Farmers’ Wholesale Market that is coming in there. I went there to inspect the place and you will be surprised that in that settlement, we have 27,000 hectares of land. We have asked them to carve out just 3,000 hectares out of the 27,000 for that project.”

“Let me also say this; political office holders across the country should do their best to improve things, because it has been a difficult and challenging period for the people, but as they say, tough times don’t last, only tough people do”, Governor Makinde explained.

Delivering the message of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja called for patience among the people of Oyo State and urged them to remain steadfast and hopeful in the face of challenges.

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