Holders of Ibadan chieftaincy titles have charged to see the titles conferred on them as responsibilities towards the progress, growth and development of Ibadan land, as well as a call to prioritise Ibadan interests at all times.
Olubadan of Ibadan land, ObaLekan Balogun (CFR), Alli Okunmade II, gave this charge at the installation of four eminent personalities, Chief (Mrs.) Janet Raimi as Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State, Chief Laja Akintayo and Chief (Mrs) Olukemi Akintayo as Jagunmolu and Yeye Jagunmolu Apesinola of Ibadan land and Chief (Mrs) Sefiat Olatoyosi Adetoyese as Yeye Oba of Ibadan land.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the monarch through his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, the new title holders, who were considered for the exalted titles based on their past activities were enjoined not to relent in making their relevance felt in Ibadan land.
The monarch prayed for them to live long in robust and sound health.
In his reaction to the new titles bestowed on him and his wife, the Jagunmolu Apesinola of Ibadan land, Akintayo praised Oba Balogun for the honour done him and his wife, with a pledge to continue doing his best for his fatherland despite being based in the Unitef States.
“It doesn’t affect me because I’m part and parcel of Ibadan land through the activities of CCII, through the activities of Ibadan Descendants’ Union and many others. So, this chieftaincy title has challenged me again to make sure I do more and give back to Ibadan land.
“I will mobilise other people, especially in diaspora to make Ibadan bigger than what it is and make sure that Ibadan land maintains her status of pacecetter. It is our city and it is big, so there is the need to contribute our own quota to its development. I have been contributing my own quota to the progress of Ibadan in the past 40 years and I will continue to be doing that. So, I pray God to give me more strength,” the new Jagunmolu Apesinola added.
On her part, the newly installed Yeye Oba, Adetoyese, said she was elated by the title which was a function of a long lasting relationship between her and Ibadan land in general and Olubadan in particular.
“it is a big responsibility which I have come to accept with every sense of commitment and humility. I know the enormity of the responsibility demanded by the title and I promise not to let down Kabiyesi and Ibadan land,” Adetoyese said.
She praised Oba Balogun for having faith and confidence in her without minding her age.
“Our Kabiyesi has proved himself a man of integrity and somebody with a heart of thanksgiving. The journey has been long and what we have witnessed today was a recognition of loyalty and dependability. I say it once again, I won’t let down our revered father and Ibadan as a whole. I thank the Almighty Allah for making today a reality,” she added.
The Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State, Raimi said the title bestowed on her was in recognition of her pioneering efforts in market men and women unionism in the state, stressing that the purpose of her taking the title “is to help use her wealth of experience to strengthen the market men and women unionism and make it more functional, effective and efficient.”
“I’m not in contention with anybody or any officer of the market union, but to provide the expected leadership, especially in the relationship between the palace and the market. I have observed that the authority of the palace over our markets is being eroded and it should not be so. I have gotten the experience and will make it to bear with my new title,” the octogenarian said.
