Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi was on Sunday, December 16, treated to a grand reception by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), to mark his 69th birthday. The CCII is the umbrella body of all Ibadan sociocultural groups.
The event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, witnessed the presentation of gifts from various bodies and groups to the governor, as well as goodwill messages from guests and representatives of society stakeholders.
The reception was attended by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, Oba Lekan Balogun, Governors Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo state), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) who was represented by his deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi, prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland at home and abroad, captain of industries, political leaders, among others.
In his speech, Governor Ajimobi thanked all those who worked with him to transform the state. He said he would let the glory and honour for the good works go to his team members while he fully take outcomes of the mistakes.
The governor who will be leaving office in less than six months, also asked the people of the state to forgive him for every error he must have committed while in government.
His words: “Oyo state is a state that is loved and blessed by God and we all must work for its upliftment. The first way to fix this state is that we must not mock each other or work against anybody for selfish reason.
“Even the politicians we trade criticisms with, I don’t want the downfall of anybody. What do I stand to gain from someone else’s fall?
“Unlike those before me, I have never written any petition against anybody. If you steal what belongs to the people, if God did not reward you for your evil deeds, your children will pay for it.
“I want to beg all of us to please continue this tradition of celebrating one another. It is not because I am leaving office but because our state must be developed.
“All the good things I might have achieved as a governor, all those who worked with me contributed and we are all responsible for it. No governor has ever attained our feat in the history of the state. If they don’t appreciate it now, they will appreciate it in the nearest future.
“What I am begging for is that we must learn to appreciate and celebrate one another in the interest of development of our state.
“Whatever is bad that we might have done, please take it as mine and not that of all those working with me. I seek your forgiveness for every error.”
He however concluded by reminding everyone of the Christian teaching which admonishes one to forgive another so as to get forgiveness from God.
Earlier in the day, the governor performed the dedication of the Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Central Mosque located beside the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oke-Ado, Ibadan. The governor was also installed and decorated as the Basorun Musulumi of Oyo state.
The mosque was inaugurated by the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
While inaugurating the mosque, the Sultan, with the support of other Muslim clerics in attendance stated that the building of a mosque was a significant thing, adding that there was no better thing the governor could have dedicated than the mosque.
He also called on the governor not to relent in what he described as “his good works.”
In his address, popular Islamic cleric and preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani-Bello, commended the governor for fulfilling his covenant with God, urging the people to learn from his action and follow suit.
Bello said that the dedicated mosque belongs to God and the people, disclosing that such should not be seen as either that of the family property or the APC.
Ajani-Bello said, “You have done well by keeping to your covenant with Allah. Please, don’t see this as the last you will do for your people and God. You would have offended people as the governor, I implore you to seek forgiveness from them. Also, ensure that you do not relent in seeking forgiveness from God always.
“Always continue to fear God in all you do and don’t spend the rest of your life with pride, arrogance and without fear of God.”
The event was attended by Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola, NSCIA deputy President-General; Alhaji Daud Akinola, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland and Prof. Daud Noibi, Secretary-General, Muslim Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN).
Also in attendance were members of the state executive council, traditional rulers, political associates and hosts of well wishers.
