The Mogaji Akere dynasty of Orita Merin, Ibadan, Alhaji Moshood Gbolagade Akere has asserted that Ibadan would continue to take the lead in Yorubaland due to what he called the town’s strategic position in the history of the ethnic group and Nigeria as a whole.
Akere said the new Olubadan palace, which was commissioned during the week by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, is a testimony to his submission that a town like Ibadan is rare to come by, in terms of its seamless administration of the traditional institution.
He said that the palace was architecturally designed to further establish the sanctity of Ibadan not only as the largest Yoruba town but also the political headquarters of Yorubaland, being the capital of the Western Region.
While congratulating Ibadan indigenes on the completion of the palace, he also felicitated the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who received his staff and instrument of office yesterday at an historic ceremony held at the frontage of the imposing Mapo Hall.
The Mogaji noted that Ibadan leaders would always employ internal reconciliation mechanism to resolve their issues without allowing external influence to exacerbate the situation.
He said: “We are specially blessed with that maturity by God Almighty. We have commissioned our palace. We have installed our Kabiyesi. We have done all these within a week and moved forward. We thank God that guided every stakeholder that made these achievements possible.”
Akere, who urged his people to support the Olubadan, prayed for the monarch to experience a peaceful reign that would bring more development to the people and the town.
“Now that we have Kabiyesi in the palace, we should rededicate ourselves to maintain Ibadan leadership position. I have confidence that we shall be greater than we are in due course,” he assured.
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