Politics

I recruited 2 out of the current ministers while at Shell – Olubadan-Designate

By Web News 803

Olubadan Designate, Senator Lekan Balogun has revealed that two current Ministers in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari were among those he recruited when he was the head of recruitment, Shell British Petroleum Company.

Senator Balogun stated this at his Alarere residence during his first interactive session with newsmen after his appointment as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The new Olubadan while recalling his work experiences but did not mention the names of the recruited current ministers and noted that he was still with Shell when he became Mogaji of Aliiwo in 1986.

“I started my career in ABU, Zaria.  I worked in Shell British Petroleum Company too. I recruited a lot of people when I was the head of recruitment. I recruited 2 out of the current ministers but I won’t mention their names”.

Senator Balogun explained that he is one of the luckiest persons in the recent past in the history of Olubadan stool to have spent 36 years on the line of becoming the monarch.

“I’m luckier to be Olubadan after 36 years on the queue when I became the Mogaji of Aliwo in 1986. But, it’s not unusual, it’s s gradual process. I’m really appreciating this development”. 

He promised to use his wealth of experience in collaboration with the state government to make Ibadan greater again. 

“Ibadan should be the capital of Africa. I will make sure Ibadan is a greater Africa.  Peace, progress and development of Ibadan will be top on my agenda”. 

Senator Balogun appreciated Ibadan indigenes, home and abroad as well as residents of the ancient city for their support which contributed to his emergence as the new Olubadan. 

“I want to thank the people of Ibadan land for their support and encouragement.  They are wonderful people.  I want to assure you that I will not let you down.’  

He also lauded the rancour-free- a system of the Ibadan traditional Council, which has paved the way for smooth transition immediately after the passage of one Olubadan. 

“The Olubadan Designate said though he would have been in his grave by then, he would be happy that one day, a younger person becomes the monarch as the energy and strength would be there to enhance performance in office. 

“I will be happy to see a younger person on the stool of Olubadan. Then I will be in the grave but I believe the person will have the strength, energy and other muscles to do a lot.”

He used the opportunity to announce the adoption of a title of the office of the new Olubadan as “Oba Senator Dr Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun – Aliiwo, Ali Okunmade II.

Senator Lekan Balogun will be the second Olubadan that the Ali-Iwo compound would produce when finally installed.

Engr Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, approved the appointment of Senator Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The approval follows a recommendation to that effect made by the Olubadan-in-Council and which was communicated to the governor.

It is expected that the date for the installation of the new Olubadan will be announced soon.

Ridwan Fasasi

Culture

I’ll announce the new Olubadan officially on Monday – Gov. Makinde

By Web News 1086

Oyo State government is set to officially announce the new Olubadan of Ibadanland on Monday.

Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at the farewell party in honour of the late 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Ajeogunguniso the First which was held at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, on Saturday.

The governor who said the age-long tradition of king-making in Ibadanland had been restored, said he had received a letter to the effect of the new Olubadan from the Olubadan-in-council.

Governor Makinde commended key stakeholders in the Olubadan kingship process for allowing peace to reign in the new Olubadan appointment process.

Rotimi Famakin/Newssbreakng

Culture

Age-Long Olubadan Succession Plan Remains Sacrosanct – Olubadan-in-Council

By Web News 1057

Following the demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, members of the Olubadan-in-Council have condoled with the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, people of Ibadanland and family members of the late monarch.

Rising from a two-hour closed-door meeting held at the Alarere residence of Otun Olubadan and the would-be successor to the throne, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council described the deceased leader of the council as an indefatigable ruler whose reign would be difficult to forget.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed king, the council urged the bereaved family of the deceased to remain joyous and happy for the legacies of good reign left behind by their patriarch.

The council reiterated that the historical and traditional succession plan to the throne of Olubadan remains sacrosanct, the elevation conferred on all the members of the Olubadan-in-Council as Royal Majesties notwithstanding.

Members of the council were elevated to the Royal Majesties status by the previous administration in the state led by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi and it became contentious and litigious.

Olubadan-in-Council said the elevation granted the members, who also serve as kingmakers had not in any way altered the age-long and enviable traditional succession plan to the Olubadan throne in Ibadanland.

According to the Council, “there should be no any controversy as to who becomes the next Olubadan amongst us as the previous elevation that made us Royal Majesties did not in any way affect our respective offices in the Olubadan-in-Council and would not preclude any of us to mount the Olubadan throne whenever it is the person’s turn.

“We are the kingmakers and we will do the needful at the appropriate time. For now, we are still all in the mourning mood of our departed father and revered leader in the Council and we just want to assure the generality of our people both home and in the diaspora that there’s no cause for alarm”, the Council added.

Iyabo Adebisi

Security

We are committed to ensuring a secured environment – Makinde

By Web News 731

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has restated the determination of his administration to nip crimes and criminality in the bud. 

Governor Makinde gave the assurance during a security meeting at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. 

From left, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka; deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan; Governor Seyi Makinde and Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin during a security meeting with the traditional rulers and security agencies in the State, held at House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

The governor said security was one of the cardinal points of his administration, stressing that security also formed the content of his four year-accelerated roadmap to development.

From right, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji during a security meeting with traditional rulers and security agencies in the State, held at House of chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

In his submission through the Otun-Olubadan of Ibadan-Land, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan-land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso the first, called for collaborative efforts of traditional rulers, government officials and uniformed men to tackle crime.

Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko, made a case for intelligence gathering and cooperation from members of the public to achieve a secured environment in the state. 

Iyabo Adebisi

Lifestyle

Otun Olubadan, Oloye Alabi Mourn Late Lekan Are

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Late Dr. Lekan Are has been described as a rare gem and a wonderful person.

The prominent businessman died at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan on the 18th of this month.

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun described Dr. Are as an industrious man, who contributed immensely to the growth of Ibadanland and nation at large.

In his reaction, an alumnus of the deceased’s Alma-Mata, Government College Ibadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi said though the news was saddening, but death is inevitable for every man, praying that God would cause his soul to rest in peace.

Dr. Lekan Are who was an agronomist and a director with Punch Newspaper, Kakanfo Inn and University Press PLC died at the age of 86 years.

Taiwo Akinola