The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty,Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has declared that his area of jurisdiction does not extend beyond 11 local government councils of Oyo State and about 4million people resident there, as clearly stated in Oyo State Chiefs law and Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
Speaking on Sunday at the Coronation Luncheon organised to celebrate his ascension to the throne by Ibadan Foundation at Kakanfo Hotel,Ibadan, Oba Ladoja stated that he had a lot of work in his hands to bother himself about what he is not.
The first class monarch told an impressive crowd of Ibadan heavy weights, including Asiwaju Bode Amao,Chief Bayo Oyero, Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola and the Iyalode group that he had a clear-cut idea of how he wanted to manage the challenges facing Ibadan.
He said: “When people were protesting about the Circular Road, my house was their first port of call.And i briefed His Excellency Gov Seyi Makinde about it.
“We are confronted with landgrabbing challenges. This was why we set up anti-landgrabbing committee. We are awaiting their report. But i want to hint you that land reform is underway. When we notice security breaches anywhere within our area of jurisdiction we know who to call.We know who to hold responsible.
“We set up Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee to recommend to ushow to revive so many industries that have been closed down for years in Ibadan. We want them to re-open for business to generate emloyment oppurtunities for our able-bodied youths.
“We have inherited legacies of bravery, nobility, hardwork, enviable record from our forefathers. This doesnt mean we should resign ourselves to fate”
Oba Ladoja said when Kabiyesi Ooni of Ife conferred the Chieftaincy title of Okanlomo Odua on our illustrious son, Engr Dotun Sanusi,many monarchs,not just from Ibadan,but from Oyo State attended in solidarity.
We didnt know that one of our illustrious daughters, Chief Mrs Latinwo was going to be installed Yeye Bobagunwa Oodua.