Olubadan praises ODF, urges greater role in national development
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba (Dr.) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1), has expressed appreciation to the executive and the entire members of the Ona-Ara Development Forum (ODF) who paid him a visit on Tuesday, urging them to play greater role in national development.
According to a statement by the monarch’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Solomon Olugbemiga Ayoade, on Wednesday, the courtesy visit took place at the palace of Olubadan at Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
Speaking through Chief Kayode Afolabi Kadelu, the Oota Balogun of Ibadanland, the monarch said “I give undiluted gratitude to God Almighty who spared my life to become the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland and has enabled me to personally receive the illustrious sons and daughters of my local government of origin, Ona-Ara Local Government, Akanran, Ibadan in Oyo State of Nigeria.
“I charge you all to further contribute your quota to the development of not only Ona-Ara Local Government, but also Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“As the paramount ruler in Ibadanland, I will continue to to ensure that development of Ibadanland is my focus and I will further promote peaceful co-existence in Ibadanland.”
Earlier in his address, the President of ODF, Chief Kola Bolomope, said they were at the palace to celebrate the Olubadan of Ibadanland who is an indigene of Ona-Ara Local Government and patron of ODF.
Chief Bolomope assured Oba Olakulehin that the forum would not relent in its efforts until Ona-Ara Local Government became a role model among the comity of local governments, adding that they appreciated the royal father for the warm reception accorded the delegates during the visit.
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In his own speech, the Executive Chairman of Ona-Ara Local Government, Dr. Temitope Kolapo Glorious, took the people in attendance down the memory lane on the contributions of both dead and living legends of the local government, notably among who were political leaders, such as Chief Meredith Augustus Adisa Akinloye, Chief Richard Akinjide and Aare Musulumi Azeez Alao Arisekola, all deceased.
He also mentioned the living such as Chief Jacob Olabode Amao, the current Asiwaju of Ibadanland; Chief Bayo Oyero, who is a former President General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII); Chief Oladiti Oladapo and Oba Kolawole Adegbola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland.
