Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Dr. Sen. Mohood Olalekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, on Saturday acknowledged the role played by the immediate past Governor of the State Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi in breaking the jinx of restructuring Ibadan traditional system
Recalled that the late Ajimobi’s administration initiated the idea and present staff of office to Ibadan High chiefs and elevates some Baales to kings
The foremost monarch in his speech while crowing 34 elevated Baales to King said” The determination of our governor in the state, Engr. Makinde, FNSE in ensuring the making of this history cannot be over-emphasized.We cannot gloss over the boldness and political will of his predecessor, late Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who against all odds broke the jinx which had become a recurring decimal since the advent of the current democratic experience. May his soul continue to peacefully rest.”
He added that “Whatever flaws noticed in the steps taken by the late former governor Ajimobi on the issue have been corrected by Engr. Makinde, giving us confidence that what we are doing has come to stay.”
“I say kudos to the people’s governor, our own Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE for keeping faith with us in the Ibadan traditional system by his gracious approval, the pedestal upon which we stand here today. We are jointly making history.”
Speaking on the development on Ibadan traditional system Olubadan said “In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue. Thankfully, the issue of some of our Baales wearing crowns has never been a subject of debate as there’s a consensus on it. Whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.”
“By today’s exercise, we have completely changed the face of Ibadan traditional system and we can now rub shoulders with other places in the comity of towns and cities. It is gratifying to note that the public opinion on the first leg of the exercise has been that of applause and commendation and we are convinced and happy that by the elevation exercises, including the one we are doing today, we are meeting the yearnings and expectations of our people. ”
“The palace is aware of contentions in the domains of a few of today’s beneficiaries of the elevation and attempts to stop their elevation by the aggrieved parties acknowledged. But, we decided to go ahead with the elevation of the affected few alongside others because they are not being newly installed as Baales and should they be denied, it is the affected communities that would suffer the loss.”
“So we considered it more appropriate to go ahead with the elevation as planned while the aggrieved parties continue with the process of how to ‘right’ the acclaimed ‘wrong’ in installing the affected Baales in the first instance and I want to publicly assure all that as soon as it is evidentially established that a wrong was actually committed in installing somebody as a Baale, such stands removed without any pressure.”
He however urged the elevated kings among whom was 116 year old to be guided by the oath and contribute to the advancement and expansion of Ibadan
