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Ajimobi, Ladoja in warm embrace at Olubadan’s 90th birthday

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and former governor Rashidi Ladoja yesterday put aside their estranged relationship as they warmly embraced each other at the 90th birthday of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji.

[File] The Governor of the host state, Abiola Ajimobi in his his goodwill message enjoined the association to raise the bar in service delivery for the respective government.Photo: Twitter/AAAjimobi

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and former governor Rashidi Ladoja yesterday put aside their estranged relationship as they warmly embraced each other at the 90th birthday of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre, venue of the event, was thrown into wild jubilation as the perceived political foes embraced themselves. The weeklong birthday celebration attracted prominent monarchs across Yorubaland, members of the state executive council and gladiators across political divides.

Some dignitaries at the event were former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Fredrick Akinruntan, Eleruwa of Eruwa, Samuel Adegbola and some white cap chiefs from Lagos. Others were Soji Akanbi, Abiodun Awoleye, Akeem Ige, Daud Akinola and Ademola Ojo.

Some Oyo political gladiators who attended the event were Olusola Ayandele, Seyi Makinde, Joseph Tegbe, Niyi Akintola, Sharafadeen Alli, Isaac Omodewu, Azeez Adeduntan and Adebayo Adelabu. Ajimobi expressed happiness that the monarch, whom he referred to as his father, clocked 90 years, praying that the ancient city of Ibadan witnessed more development during his reign.

The governor stated that the imbroglio between the state government and the renowned gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele, has been resolved, pledging his administration’s readiness to assist him.The former governor, who is also the Osi-Olubadan of Ibadan, had at a prayer session held at Popoyemoja palace of the monarch, said the crisis rocking Olubadan-in-Council would soon be resolved.

The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniy Abubakr, offered praises and thanks to God for what they described as special grace bestowed on the 41st Olubadan to attain age 90 on earth. Kamaldeen Balogun, Chief Imam of Gbagura in Ogun State, said living above life expectancy in Nigeria required divine grace from God. Balogun, in a lecture, enjoined Nigerian leaders to fight injustice and poverty ravaging the country so as to reduce the number of citizens dying as a result of hypertension.

Mudathir Bada, the Chief Imam of Oluyole, urged the monarch to rule Ibadan land with the fear of God so as to remain relevant. Sekinat Adekola, the Iya Adinni of Ibadanland, called for the resolution of the crisis rocking the Olubadan-in-Council.

In his address, Taoheed Adedoja, chairman, Olubadan 90th Birthday Celebration Committee, said the essence of the birthday celebration was to celebrate Ibadan and pray for national unity and stability.

Adedoja, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, said that to live long was by the glory and grace of God, urging the people to be good to their parents, elders and the aged. The former minister stated that the Yorùbá tradition, which Olubadan represented, should be preserved, respected and protected within the context of modernity and technological age.

Alao-Akala, Makinde, Tegbe congratulated the monarch on his 90th birthday, praying that his reign would bring peace to Ibadanland and Oyo State.Earlier, Ladoja, an Ibadan high chief, congratulated the monarch on his birthday, praying that he reigned longer on the throne of his fore-fathers.

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