Oyo Speaker, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin has showered encomiums on the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja as he marks his 79th birthday.
Hon. Ogundoyin in a congratulatory message to the elder statesman in Ibadan said every 25th of September is the birthday of one of the best Governors of Oyo State, Sen. Ladoja.
He described the celebrant as a Political mentor of mentors and a leader of leaders.
” I am thankful to Allah for sparing the life of our father and mentor, Former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja to witness his 79th birthday which comes up every 25th of September. The Otun Olubadan remains an exceptional political role model and father figure who has made history in Oyo State as a politician, a Governor, a national parliamentarian, a high chief, a business man, an agriculturist and a philanthropist of repute. Congratulations to Your Excellency on your birthday today. We are proud of you and your sterling leadership qualities. ” Oyo Speaker said
According to the statement, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja is a political leader who served with honor and integrity.
” High Chief Ladoja has served in various capacities with honor and integrity. He is a man of his words who stands for whatever he believes in. He has continued to provide all round guidance for me personally, my extended family and for current and upcoming youth and politicians in general. Thank you Daddy for being there for us always. God bless you for your wonderful leadership. Thank you for your calm mind and clear political vision which is a lesson for young politician like me. Many happy returns to you Sir. May your days be longer than this, and may you celebrate more years in sound health, mind and in abundant prosperity”
Governorship candidates in Oyo State have agreed to allow a level playing ground before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The candidates made the pledge while signing a peace agreement in Ibadan, organised by the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebowale Williams.
While briefing the candidates on the importance of peace, the chief convener of the Peace Accord committee and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja said they should all eschew violence and embrace peace before, during and after the coming elections.
Senator Ladoja cautioned them against a campaign of bitterness which he said could create rancour in the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde who is running for a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party signing the Peace Accord
Accord Party Gubernatorial Candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu signing the Peace Accord
He admonished them to focus on issue-based campaigns for the betterment of all the citizens.
Senator Ladoja noted that the candidates should remember that life would continue after the elections, hence the need for free and fair campaigns and elections.
On his part, the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Dr Raman Tella, said the peace agreement signed by the candidates indicated that the elections would be conducted in a peaceful manner.
He said INEC was ready to deliver and put all necessary machinery in place to ensure that the elections were free, fair and balanced.
The REC, therefore, called on the residents of Oyo State who were yet to collect their PVCs to do so as INEC had 743,690 uncollected cards with them.
He added that INEC in Oyo State had extended their polling units to 6,390 to reduce the stress people go through while trying to exercise their rights on election days.
One of the governorship candidates in Oyo State and the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde said the signing of the peace agreement among the candidates would go a long way at ensuring and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after elections.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebowale Williams said the signing of the peace accord became imperative as the nation navigated towards the general elections.
Mr Williams noted that there was the need for repeated emphasis on peaceful electioneering before, during and after the exercise to enable members of the public to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation from anyone.
The parties, their candidates and their supporters were therefore enjoined to be guided by the guidelines for political rallies recently released by INEC.
“So far, the command and indeed the security space is concerned about the disturbing extremities and desperation displayed by some political gladiators. Recently, Oyo State witnessed needless destruction of billboards and defacing of posters of opposing aspirants to stir up provocations and bloody reprisals but for the prompt intervention of security operatives.”
“Hence, the need to reach out to leaders wielding diverse degrees of influence within and outside Oyo State was inevitable for the purposes of guidance and preservation of the state’s relative peace from agents of anarchy and mischief.”
The Commissioner of Police stated further that this process would encourage issue-based campaigns at all levels, devoid of religious, ethnic and tribal incitement by political actors or their supporters acting in the capacity of their principal.
“Dissuade aspirants and any other persons, acting in the capacity of their principals from inciting violence through provocative utterances and hate speeches.”
“Support all institutions of government including INEC, police and other security agencies towards ensuring that the electorates exercise their franchise without fear of harassment or molestation.”
While assuring the electorates of their safety before, during and after the elections, the Police Commissioner also promised to leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with any individual or group that planned to disrupt the process regardless of their interests or affiliations.
The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadan has been laid to rest at his Popoyemoja residence, Ibadan according to Islamic rites.
Prior to this, there was lying-in-state for late Oba Adetunji after Janazah prayer was offered for the soul of the monarch led by the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Agbotomokekere at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
In a sermon, the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Abdul Ganiy Agbotomokekere while saying death is an inevitable end of every man stated that late Oba Adetunji lived a life worthy of emulation.
Leading the Oyo State delegation to the burial of late Olubadan is the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan.
In an interview with journalists, Engineer Olaniyan said the late monarch would be greatly missed, describing his reign as peaceful.
Also, popular Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde who explained that late Olubadan nurtured him, stated that Oba Adetunji was highly principled and honest in all his dealings.
Former governors of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Alao-Akala, Senator Fatai Buhari, traditional rulers, families, friends paid their last respects to late Oba Adetunji at the burial.
Oba Saliu Adetunji who reigned for five years last died today Sunday 2nd of January, 2022 at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan during a brief illness at the age of 93 years.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has described a former Governor of the state and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja as an exemplar in traditional and political leadership.
The governor, who stated this in a congratulatory message to the Osi Olubadan, whom he described as his father, said Senator Ladoja’s contributions to the progress and development of Oyo State and the country are immeasurable and exemplary.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quotes Governor Makinde as adding that Ladoja is worthy of celebration for the different roles he has played in different spheres as an achiever in business, a worthy model in politics and a committed community leader.
He said: “Our father, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, I rejoice with you as you add another year today”.
“Your life of service, your people-oriented leadership and your immense contributions to the progress and development of Oyo State are exemplary”.
“As you mark another birthday in your eventful life, I pray to God to grant you good health and more wisdom to make more impact on humanity”.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulhafiz Oladosu says the nation needs to embark on moral rejuvenation to reduce the act of corruption.
He made the call in Ibadan at a stakeholders’ summit organised by Political Awareness Group, PAG, an association of Muslim professionals and technocrats for good governance.
Professor Oladosu who is a lecturer at the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, noted that morally upright ones with God-consciousness would not embark on corrupt activities.
He admonished the political office holders to fulfill their electioneering promises in order to regain the confidence of the people, noting that the current developments in the country have demoralised many Nigerians.
In a remark, the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja emphasized on the unity of Nigeria, warning against secession as being clamoured in some quarters.
Senator Ladoja who was represented by former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli decried the idea of tagging a particular tribe with crimes maintaining that every tribe has bad eggs and criminal elements.
The former governor posited that true federalism would solve the current series of challenges facing the country.
The former Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education, who is also the chairman on the occasion, Dr Sulaiman Adediran enjoined Muslims to develop themselves politically and be advocates of good governance.
Earlier, the Chairman, Political Awareness Group, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye, noted that the organisation stands for good governance and was ready to support those who shared PAG’s agenda.
He explained that resolutions at the summit would be transmitted to appropriate quarters and concerned authorities.
Barrister Olowonjaye condemned the call for secession in some quarters stressing that what should be paramount was the need to join hands with the federal government to find lasting solutions to various challenges bedeviling the country.
