The Ibadan socio-cultural group, Central Council of Ibadan indigenes (CCII) an umbrella body that represents all clubs and associations of Ibadan indigenes worldwide has narrated how the Oyo State Governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Abiodun Makinde removed what could have brought shame and ridicule to Ibadan indigenes over the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land which has been left uncompleted for many years.
In a remark by the CCII President-General, Barrister Ajeniyi Ajewole during a visit to the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board (LGSPB), Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige yesterday disclosed how Governor Makinde took up the completion of the Olubadan palace with several millions to the tune of eight hundred and fifty million naira he single handedly donated with the support of all the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland which made the completion of the palace possible.
Though the purpose of the visit, according to Barr. Niyi Ajewole who was represented by the Chairman Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, 2024, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola was to intimate Hon. Ademola Ige of the CCII’s decision to bestow the Most Patriotic Ibadan Indigene Award on him as part of the programmes lined up for the celebration of this year Ibadan Cultural Festival which will be conferred on him at the grand finale of Ibadan Week celebration coming up later this month, he noted that it is imperative that the apex socio cultural group in Ibadan used the opportunity of the visit to express their utmost and profound gratitude to Governor Makinde for his gestures and love for Ibadanland.
According to the Chairman planning committee, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola, “on behalf of the President- General CCII, Barr. Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole, we register our unalloyed profound gratitude to Gov. Seyi Makinde for what he has done for us over the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland. Governor Makinde has taken away our shame and ridicule and we thank God that the Olubadan palace is now completed courtesy of Governor Makinde. We are grateful to him and Ibadanland will forever be indebted to him. We also thank him for appointing one of the most illustrious sons of Ibadan in person of Hon. Ademola Ige as the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board. We thank him for this and pray that God will bless him with all the goodness of life.” Balogun Ojetola prayed.
While presenting the letter of conferment of the award on Hon. Akeem Ige, Balogun Ojetola who was accompanied by other members of the planning committee, Dr. (Mrs) Ayo Alaga, Engr. Musa Busari Akere, Mogaji Kunle Sodeinde, Dr. Mrs Iyabode-Fafowora, Mrs Omotoso, Mr Oladele Dauda Tokunbo and Mr Ademola Solalu respectively said the CCII decided to honour Hon. Ige with the “Most Patriotic Ibadan Indigene Award in recognition of his exemplary commitment and dedication to the progress and development of Ibadan in all areas.
He added that Hon. Ige has been a very dedicated and patriotic Ibadan man that spanned over many years, and CCII believe that this award would be a challenge for him to do more to continue to be patriotic and propagate Ibadanland.
“We in Ibadan have decided to celebrate you now so as to show you that Ibadan has created a deserved permanent place for you in her history. You are most deserving of this honour by virtue of your unrelentless and selfless service to the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Ibadanland. This unique patriotic gesture of yours will remain indelible in our minds till eternity as they show that someone like you will surely do more for Ibadanland as God continues to bless your endeavours.” He said.
In his remark, Hon. Ige appreciated the CCII for their decision to recognise his past and present contributions to the cause and progress of Ibadan land, adding that the gesture will remain evergreen in his mind.
Hon. Ige who recalled that he had once been honoured by the CCII in the year 2017, he pointed out that he considers this one as most unique and valuable, promising that he would continue to be committed to the progress and development of Ibadan anywhere he finds himself.
Others in attendance during the visit were the immediate past Chairman of Oluyole Local Government area, Hon. Olaide Popoola Settle, newly sworn in Vice- Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Adeniyi Akorede, Mogaji Amugiri family, Jelili Oyediran, the Chairman/Chief-Executive Officer of Tam Oil & Gas, Alhaji Muideen Ayobami Tajudeen, branch Manager Unity Bank Plc, Dugbe branch, Mr Ayuba Abduljeleel, Mr Abdulrazaq Olabode and Hon. Comrade Mutairu Iyiola.
