Oba Ajibola Pays Homage To Olubadan-Designate, Warns Against Land Grabbing, Other Illicit Activities•••As Mogajis, Baales Pledge Support For Oba Ladoja
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — THE Balogun Olubadan-Designate, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, has urged residents and traditional leaders in Ibadanland to uphold law and order, warning that anyone found guilty of land grabbing or other acts capable of tarnishing the city’s reputation will face serious consequences.
Oba Ajibola made this statement while leading a delegation of traditional leaders to pay homage to the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija residence.
He emphasized the need for traditional rulers — including Mogajis, Baales, and other community heads — to maintain integrity, warning that those found complicit in criminal activities, especially land grabbing, risk deposition and prosecution.
“We must not allow greed or lawlessness to destroy the image of Ibadanland. Traditional leaders should lead by example. Anyone caught in acts that go against our values will not be spared,” Oba Ajibola stated.
Also speaking at the event, Ashipa Olubadan-Designate, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, called on Oba Ladoja to leverage his wealth of experience and influence to create employment opportunities for youths and attract investors to the city.
He expressed optimism that Oba Ladoja’s tenure would usher in a new era of development and prosperity for Ibadanland.
In his response, the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, assured indigenes of their continued right to land ownership, advising them to lease rather than sell their properties in order to preserve heritage and generational wealth.
He also disclosed that a committee has been set up to investigate the reasons behind the closure of several industries in the city, promising efforts toward industrial revival and economic rejuvenation.
“We must protect what belongs to us. Selling our lands outright is not sustainable. Leasing gives future generations something to build on,” Oba Ladoja advised.
Earlier in his speech, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja ordered A minute of silence was observed during the gathering in honour of the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed on in July.
The event was attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, Baales, and other prominent traditional rulers across Ibadanland.