The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) yesterday, said that the first phase of the ongoing Ibadan Central Palace project would be completed before the end of the year.
The CCII President-General, Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga, gave the assurance at the Alarere residence of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr.) Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll, alongside other executive members of the Ibadan apex socio-cultural organisation while paying homage as part of the ongoing Ibadan Week Festival, which began on Sunday with Church Service at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.
Adeaga disclosed that what could serve as encumbrance had been taken care of. He solicited the support of the new Olubadan on composition of a committee by the CCII to monitor the generated funds not only to complete the Phase I of the project, but to also begin work on the next phase.
The CCII President-General said the coronation was unequalled in the history of coronation ceremonies in Ibadanland. Responding on behalf of the Olubadan, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, thanked the CCII members for their commitment and sacrifice for the ancient metropolis, urging them not to relent on every move and effort that would raise the bar of Ibadan socially, economically, culturally and politically.
He described the socio-cultural group as the conscience of the Ibadan, a duty that places on them enormous responsibility for the total well-being of all the residents of the ancient metropolis.
MEANWHILE, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Rasheed Teslim Balogun, yesterday, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for successfully navigating through traditional and legal hurdles to install the 42nd Olubadan.
In a statement, Balogun also urged the new monarch to use his tenure to promote the development of Ibadanland, Yoruba people and Nigeria.
He said is it important for the people of Ibadan to support Oba Balogun and by extension Makinde, whom he said, had continued to work towards the development of Oyo State since 2019. He, however, urged the Ibadan people to reward Makinde with rounding second term victory in 2023.
