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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Chairman, Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, has commended Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for fulfilling the promise made to the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, over the newly-completed Oyo-Iseyin road.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 34.85 kms road in Oyo on Friday, Ladigbolu said the late Oba Adeyemi was so concerned with the deplorable state of the road that he paid a private visit to Makinde on October 31, 2020, to plead with him to do something about it.
The retired cleric who described the Oyo-Iseyin road as strategic one that linked many towns together, stressed that the promise made by the governor to the late Alaafin at that meeting produced the seed of the now completed Oyo-Iseyin road.
“It is appropriate at this special occasion to recall with nostalgia our sweet memories of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Dr. Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo (1971-2022). I am recalling his tireless efforts and great concern for the progress and general development of all of Oyo land.
“Kabiyesi was so passionate about the Oyo-Iseyin road and its deplorable, almost unmotorable state four years ago, that His Majesty sought for a private audience with His Excellency, Governor Oluseyi Makinde in Ibadan on Saturday 31st October, 2020.
“At that crucial meeting, both Kabiyesi and the governor agreed on the need to fix this road, and our promise keeping governor gave Kabiyesi a definite assurance that as soon as the contractors handling the Moniya-Iseyin road project has completed the road to Iseyin, he would order them to turn and face Oyo-Iseyin road.
“I am one of those who have been monitoring the fulfillment of that promise. I am happy and proud to be a participant in the full realization and utilization of the brand new and modern road linking Oyo to Iseyin and other parts of our great nation and beyond, today.
“We are happy today because we realise that roads remain the backbone of a country’s economy. Roads makes countries livable. Roads open up more areas and stimulate all forms of development. They provide flexibility, mobility, opportunities and leisure. Roads connect people. For these and other reasons, road infrastructure is the most important of all public assets,” he said
The ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of the Iseyin campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, both of which were performed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.