Mapo, the ancient hall in the city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital came alive on Saturday 18th June, 2022 as dignitaries in Nigeria especially from political class stormed the hall to witness the chieftaincy title ceremony bestowed on the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his wife, Professor Hafsat Umar Ganduje who were installed as the Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II.
It was indeed celebration galore in the city of Ibadan as the eminent personalities, traditional rulers, political gladiators and religious leaders trooped out en masse to celebrate the first couple in Kano State who got double honour from the people of Ibadanland for allowing and promoting peaceful co-existence and national integration among various ethnic groups living in Kano State.
Apart from getting chieftaincy title as Aare Fiwagboye of Ibadanland, Dr Umar Ganduje equally got religious title of Aladeen Yorubawa conferred on him by the league of Imams and Alfas in Ibadan led by the Chief Imam of Ibadaland, Sheikh Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere at the colourful star studded ceremony held at the palatial mansion of the Asiwaju Adinni of Oyo State, Alhaji Mutiullai Oladejo Onimalu.
The array of personalities that accompany Governor Ganduje and his wife include the presidential candidate of the All Progressives (APC), in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Engr. Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Emirs of Bielu, Rano, Gaya and Karaye, the Sarkin Yoruba of Kano, Alhaji MurtalaAlimi Otisese, the Eze Ndigbo of Kano, Senator Barau Jibrin, Alhaji Nasiru Aliko Koki, Chairman APC Elders, Kano, AlhajiAbdul;ahi Abbas, APC Chairman, Kano, Hon. Sani Ma’aruf, Hon. Ali Datti Yako, Mallam Garba Muhammed, Commissioner for Information Kano State, the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin,
On arrival at the Alakia airport, Ibadan, Governor Gandujeand his entourage were received on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde by a team led by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief BayoLawal. Others were Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Babatunde Musbaudeen, Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, Special Assistant on Community Relations, Hon. Femi Josiah and Special Assistant on Arewa Community, Hon. Muritala. The team led the Governor to the government house where he had a short rest before departing to Mapo hall for the formal ceremony of his installation ceremony.
In his remark, the Oba Yoruba in Kano, Alhaji MurtalaAlimi Otisese said considering the peaceful existence, the collaboration, the productive activities, the tolerance and respect for cultures and traditions of all tribes and associations living in Kano State by Governor Umar Ganduje he merited the chieftaincy title being conferred on him and his wife.
Speaking before the conferment of the title, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun described Ganduje as a man of honour and a bridge builder, which justifies the Chieftaincy title.
In his address, which was read by the Monarch’s younger brother and Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Kola Balogun, Oba Balogun, acknowledged the cooperation and support of Olubadan-in-Council since his ascension on the throne on 11th March, 2022. He equally recognized the efforts of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) in ensuring that Ibadan enjoys peaceful reign under his watch.
According to the Monarch, “On today’s event which is the first of its kind under this dispensation, the likely question to be asked is why Gandujes? And my response is, if not Gandujes, who else could be? As I have had cause to say on occasions that Ibadan Chieftaincy titles either traditional or honorary would not be for sale, I must make it clear that the choice of His Excellency and Her Excellency as Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland was not induced financially.
“By the time I spell out the factors that came into play for their choice, you would agree with the choice. I want to put it on record, but for our brother, Oba Yoruba Kano, Alhaji (Engr.) Muritala Alimi Otisese (Adetimirin-1) mine and the paths of today’s Chiefs might have not crossed. It was this brother of ours who is also a ‘shon’ of the shoil’ that introduced the Kano first couple to the Palace.
“From the Oba Yoruba Kano, we got to know how detribalized the Kano State Chief Executive is alongside his wife. We were made to know how supportive our guests were to the aspiration and eventual emergence of our brother as Oba Yoruba Kano about two years ago.
A man of peace, Dr. Ganduje was the one who came down to Ibadan when there was a clash between Hausa traders and the people of Sasa at Sasa Market the other time to calm the frayed nerves and peace was restored.
“An alumnus of the University of Ibadan, the new Aare Fiwajoye is currently building an auditorium for the University, a project said to have reached Seventy percent (70%) completion. What is more, if one of Yoruba proverbs that says whoever gives out his/her daughter in marriage has got to the zenith of good deeds (Eni to funni lomo fe ti pari oore) is anything to go by, then the Gandujes, being our in-laws in Ibadan through their daughter that got married to our son, IdrisAjimobi have done it all.
The conferment will not only further cement the bond of friendship that has long existed between the Ibadan and Kano people, it will go a long way in maintaining handshake across the Niger as well as engender the much sought after unity which has turned fragile over the years.” Oba Balogun stated.
In his goodwill message, the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Governor Ganduje has made the Nigerians proud for promoting peace and harmonious relationship among all ethnicity groups which made him to get a chieftaincy title which is very uncommon to be bestowed on a non-indigene in the entire Yoruba land.
His word: “As in tradition, the marriage alliance of the South West and north West of this country is well reflected in this title of Aare Fiwagboye. I am very proud to have witnessed an historic day in this historic Mapo hall, and to witness this is to give a blessing to the traditional unity and prayers for our great founding fathers to promote peace, unity and stability among people all over.
We thank God, we thank Kaabiyesi for recognizing a day, the period and promoting for us to be in peace and harmony with one another, to be tolerant of each other, culture and respect, but I appreciate Ganduje for taking the first step by giving his darling daughter to us as a wife, therefore, he has shown the reed of love and care to release his daughter to the husband who have become the children of kabiyesi too and as you continue to promote peace and harmony, long may you reign, Kabiyesi.”
Speaking after his installation, Ganduje said the decision of Oba Balogun to honour him was a vital ingredient in promoting national integrity, religious harmony and cohesion.
“The Olubadan has made history today in terms of national integrity, which is a critical issue that is disturbing us as a nation. This is an issue raised by our incoming president and leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You will know that in the future regarding the policy implementation of our administration.”
“I do not have enough words, no enough vocabulary in order to appreciate what you have done this afternoon, but what I will tell you, you have made history today in terms of national integration in Nigeria, the issue that is topical, an issue that is disturbing the nation and an issue that our incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will come up with appropriate policy and action that will ensure national integration in this country.
I am not surprised at this historic occasion considering the relationship between the people of Ibadan and the people of Kano State. These are the two oldest and largest cities in Nigeria. When I came to congratulate you on your ascension to the throne of Olubadan you recalled your relationship with the first civilian Governor of Kano State, late Alhaji AbubakarRimi, you informed me of how intimate you were and this time you saw his political son coming to your palace to congratulate you. Also, your Imperial Majesty, the relationship between Ibadan and Kano cannot be told in a short moment, I could recall the late Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Abiola Ajimobi of blessed memory was my intimate friend. We were very close and my daughter, Fatima Abdullahi and his son, Idris Ajimobimarried each other.
This relationship does not stop there, I could recall when I completed my masters in Ahmadu Bello University, I was given the invitation for Ph.D programme at Ahmadu Bello University but I said no, why can’t I go across the country? So I started searching for a university that is difficult to graduate, difficult to graduate because of the quality of curriculum. I was told University of Ibadan and I applied to University of Ibadan and by the grace of God I graduated in 1993 and the relationship between that university and I continues to grow from strength to strength to the extent that we are now constructing an auditorium in the faculty of medicine to be named after group set.
Your Royal Highness, this honour is a motivation, encouragement to love one another in this country, to preach oneness across this country so that Nigeria will continue to be a country that is peaceful, loving and living in harmony.”
“Former governor of Oyo State, late Senator AbiolaAjimobi was my very close friend and that was what led to the marriage of my daughter to his son, Idris. We are very grateful for this honour accorded us by the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Highlights of the event were decoration of the conferees with traditional akoko leaves by the Maye olubadan of Ibadan land, Senior Chief Rasheed Olalekan Alabi, decoration of the conferees with insignia of office, presentation of basket of cola nut to the conferees, presentation of certificates to conferees, traditional dance and reading of citations of the conferees while Dr Tunde Hamzat compeered the programme.
Shortly after the conferment ceremony, Governor Umar Ganduje and his entourage paid on the spot assessment to the university of Ibadan to inspect an auditorium project being constructed at the Faculty of Medicine before he proceeded to the house of the Asiwaju Adinni of Oyo State, Alhaji MutiuOladejo to receive the second part of the title conferred on him as the Aladeen of Yorubawa. Majority of the dignitaries that attended the conferment ceremony done earlier in the day at Mapo hall also present at the second part. The reception party was done inside the Onimalu’s mansion after the turbaning rites was performed on Governor Ganduje.
Governor Ganduje and his entourage departed to the Alakiaairport, Ibadan around 6.30pm for their flight back to Kano State after they had been entertained with a sumptuous meal courtesy of Alhaji Mutiulahi Onimalu.
