Stunned by what he described as a rare show of love and affection by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the Eze N’digbo of Ibadanland and Oyo State, Eze Dr. Alex Anozie has said that with the likes of the Olubadan across the country, the issue of unity and cohesion among the various ethnic groups would be less problematic.
This was the expression of the Igbo nation number one citizen in Ibadan and Oyo State after the honour done him by Oba Balogun at the last installation of Mogajis held at Aliiwo ancient palace of the Olubadan. Dr. Anozie and his Eze-in-Council had paid a visit to Olubadan earlier on the day in question at his Alarere residence.
In the press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by Oladele Ogunsola, Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, the monarch took Dr. Anozie in his personal vehicle to Aliiwo, the venue of the installation of Mogajis while members of the Eze-in-Council followed in their vehicle and Olubadan insisted that all his visitors must be allowed entry into the hall where the installation took place.
This singular act by Olubadan in the view of Dr. Anozie was a show of love and open- mindedness, adding, “Olubadan showed his true colour as a detribalized Nigerian by asking me and my team to follow him to the venue of the programme. As usual and as should be expected, the place was very rowdy and difficult for people to gain entry.
“Olubadan had to directly instruct that I’m his special guest and that I and my members should be allowed to follow him directly into the venue of the installation, an instruction that was carried out without any hesitation by the security agents. This is a true display of oneness we keep talking about in the country.
“I consider it extra ordinary love and honour for me and by extension the Igbo community in Oyo State. I can only pray that God should please bless our country with such detribalized personalities in high positions of leadership in Nigeria. I strongly believe that Nigeria is a beautiful country if only we can emulate the attribute of love and oneness by the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“With good and God-fearing leaders in all sectors of the country’s leadership who show love to one another all over the country, there will be peace all over and most agitations would fizzle out”, Eze N’digbo charged further.
