The Mogaji’s in Ibadanland on Tuesday paid homage to the new Olubadan designate, Oba Lekan Balogun, urging the new monarch to expand Traditional Council at the local government to 25 for effective development at the grassroot.
Speaking on behalf of the Mogaji’s while paying homage to the new Olubadan, the President, Association of Mogaji’s in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori said that the expansion will give room for more of his members to actively discharged their duties, pledging their support and loyalty towards the success of the new monarch.
“Several Local Government Traditional Council in Ibadanland were populated by the Baales only, without been jealous, this does not give proper equal distributions and it is seriously affecting security, social economy development at the grassroots”.
Ariori congratulated Balogun for his emergence as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, saying that new positive era in the history of Ibadanland has just begins.
He stated that this is the first time Ibadanland will be so lucky to have an experienced PhD holder, a Distinguished Senator, an Accomplished Corporate Person whos personality has distinguished him as a international figure in all the continents of the world.
“Kabiyesi, it is our sincere hope that Ibadanland will benefit from your Excellent wisdom and World of experience to sustain further progress and development of the City and make it the ideal Capital of Africa”.
The Mogaji’s appealed to the incoming monarch to always informed and involved them in accessement of candidate for the positions of Mogajis and Baales in order to prevent miscreants and people of questionable characters from breaking into Ibadan traditional royal system.
They maintained that the era of cash and carry for chieftaincy seeking individuals in Ibadanland has gone.
They pledged their support to the new Olubadan towards ensuring that all traditional chieftaincy request will be granted on merit and not by financial inducement, adding that honorary titles can be granted at the discretion of the new monarch and the Council.
Mogaji Ariori also seeks financial autonomy for the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland through creation of Royal Investment Fund, saying that the palace of the first class monarch must not lack all required financial needs.
The Mogajis urged stakeholders at all levels to create a working investment funding system, which is capable of solving all the financial needs of the monarch and the Palace.
Ariori maintained that financial automy for the Olubadan palace will go along way in solving financial embarrassement the palace has been subjected to by the Government or Chieftaincy seeking individuals.
The Otun Apesin of Ibadanland, Chief Dotun Sanusi, while speaking on efforts of the Mogajis towards sustainance of peace in Ibadanland through “Ibadan Peace and Security Initiative” said that the aim of the initiative was to sustained the peaceful coexistence and unity of Ibadan people and also ensured peace and violence free environment within the city, most especially among the Youths.
He added that the Organization equally sustained a lots of youth empowerment programs, educational development for our youths, given Sports Exercises/Healthy competitions against youths violence and gangterisms among others.
He however said the initiative has succeeded by attracting more investors into Ibadanland as a result of adequate security of lives and prosperity in the town.
