Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has felicitated the former governor of the old Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo on the occasion of his 88th birthday celebration just as the newly elected President-General (PG) of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr. Niyi Ajewole was lauded for his emergence at the election held at Ibadan House on Friday.
In a press statement issued by the monarch through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola and made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday, Oba Balogun described the former governor Olunloyo as a role model in anything of dignity, panache, hard work and discipline, noting that since the gubernatorial election of 1983 in the old Oyo State brought them together, they had remained good brothers.
The statement recalled that the reigning Olubadan was the youngest of the trio of Dr. Olunloyo, then of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), the late Chief Bola Ige of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and himself, who flew the flag of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe- led Nigeria People’s Party (NPP) in the contest for the Agodi seat of the governor in the then Oyo State. Dr. Olunloyo was declared winner of the election.
Olubadan, who rejoiced with Dr. Olunloyo for the attainment of his new age specifically noted that it was about this time last year that the former governor was rumoured to have bided the world good bye, saying, “my brother has received special grace from his creator and for being preserved till now and beyond means he has not completed his assigned responsibility in this side of the divide.
“Whoever has been following the life trajectory of the first class brain with multi discipline degrees without restriction to any particular field of human endeavors would appreciate the gift to humanity the thorough-bred Ibadan son is. I’m proud of him and his achievements as not just an Ibadan man, not just a Nigerian, but a global citizen and I do pray that may he enjoy good and robust health in the remaining years of his life”, Olubadan added.
On the election of new CCII PG, Oba Balogun described the election as a call to duty for the renown Ibadan lawyer, who, according to the monarch “is well prepared for the task ahead, having been grounded in the tradition and ethos of the organization and I urge him to bring to bear his vast experience both as a legal mind and somebody that is very rooted in Ibadan customs.
“I acknowledge the seemingly rancorous situation that pervaded the land towards the election and I thank the Almighty Allah for the success and the peace that characterized the election. As noted then, in a democracy, such could not be ruled out, but, what is important is our common goal which is our fatherland-Ibadan, her growth and development.
“I call on the new PG and his executive members to ensure that all the cracked walls before the election are mended by ensuring that everybody is brought back to the same and singular fold towards working together for our common goals and aspirations. The task ahead is daunting and it requires that all hands must be on deck. Divided we fall, united we rise, let us work together in unity for the attainment of our noble goals.
“I salute the outgoing PG, Prince Yemisi Adeaga for making his own mark. He must be commended for ensuring that the CCII remains viable that people aspired to take over from him. I urge him not to abandon the Council for whatever reason, but to join hands with his predecessors in the forum of past PGs to continuously play their expected roles in moving forward the ideals of our noble CCII and our progenitors would reward all of us bountifully”, Oba Balogun added.
