OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi led the turning of the sod of the new palace of Olubadan yesterday, with a message that Nigerians should always value their traditional institutions.
The palace which portrays yoruba culture is undergoing a unique and superb reconstruction at which the 1st phase of its reconstruction will cost N400 million to be completed within six months.
The governor, at the event which took place at Oke-Aremo in the heart of the state capital last Wednesday, said Ibadan indigenes were unique for their rich culture. He noted that this has reflected in their way of life.
The governor, in a sense of humour, demanded that the Olubadan honour him with the title of ‘Koseleri of Ibadanland’ when the new palace is completed.
He noted that he would have broken the second term jinx by then.
He urged politicians to desist from politics of bitterness, adding that they should give room for criticism to perform better.
Ajimobi added that his administration has brought a human face and the fear of God in running the state in the last three years.
The governor said his administration’s vision and mission have been pressed on the tripod of transformation, restoration and repositioning to achieve the desired goal of a rapid development.
He said the development, which his government had brought to improve the living standard of the people, had been achieved without inflicting any pain on the people.
On the rumours being peddled by the opposition that his administration had been demolishing shops and other means of livelihood of the people of the state, he said the only structures that his government ever removed were those trading by the roadsides, which were against his administration’s urban renewal and environmental sanitation programmes.
Ajimobi said it was done to ensure the environmental, health and safety of the people.
In his remark, the Chairman, Olubadan Palace Committee, Chief Bayo Oyero, said the first phase of the palace construction will cost N400 million and will be completed within the next six months.
“I want to thank Governor Ajimobi for his encouragement and support for this project. It is worthy to put on record that 50 per cent of fund raised so far has come from the links which we access through him.
“Ibadan royalty and the generality of Ibadan will never forget the role you play in the making of this history of befitting palace for our monarch. It is our plan that at the completion of the Palace complex, we will establish a Roll of Honours, where your name will be the number one,” Oyero said
Dignitaries present at the event were Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade Odulana I, who was represented by Prof Femi Lana, Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Aminat Abiodun, Chief Bayo Akande, Ambassador Olu Saanu, Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Bode Amoo, Chief K.O Olatunji, among others.