Following the announcement of the Oyo state government that the installation of Sen. Lekan Balogun would hold on March 11, the Mogajis in Ibadanland yesterday paid a visit to the new Olubadan and called for an end to the era of “cash and carry” chieftaincy awards.
The Mogajis said their appeal to be involved in the screening and assessment of candidates for chieftaincy positions, is to prevent miscreants and people of questionable characters from breaking into Ibadan traditional royal system.
They pledged their support to the new Olubadan towards ensuring that all traditional chieftaincy request will be granted on merit and not by financial inducement, adding that honorary titles can be granted at the discretion of the new monarch and the council.
Speaking on behalf of the Mogajis while paying homage to the new Olubadan-designate, the President, Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori also seeks financial autonomy for the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland through creation of Royal Investment Fund, saying that the palace of the first class monarch must not lack all required financial needs.
The Mogajis urged stakeholders at all levels to create a working investment funding system, which is capable of solving all the financial needs of the monarch and the Palace.
Ariori maintained that financial autonomy for the Olubadan palace will go a long way in solving financial embarrassment the palace has been subjected to by the government or Chieftaincy seeking individuals.
They however requested for the expansion of Local Government Traditional Council for effective development at the grassroot, saying membership of the traditional council be increased to give room for more Mogajis to be members.
“Several local government traditional council in Ibadanland were populated by the Baales only, without being jealous, this does not give proper equal distributions and it is seriously affecting security, social economy development at the grassroots”.
The Mogajis therefore congratulated Balogun for his emergence as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, saying that new positive era in the history of Ibadanland has begun.
“This is the first time Ibadanland will be so lucky to have an experienced PhD holder, a Distinguished Senator, an Accomplished Corporate Person and worthy personality who has distinguished himself as an international figure in all the continents of the world.
“Kabiyesi, it is our sincere hope that Ibadanland will benefit from your excellent wisdom and world of experience to sustain further progress and development of the City and make it the ideal Capital of Africa”, they concluded.
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