Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, will today at
Mapo Hall arcade in Ibadan, present instruments of office to the 41st Olubadan
of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji. Balogun of Ibadanland, who
was born on August 26, 1928, is by the order of ranking to the royal stool, the
highest ranked high chief to succeed the late Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana,
Odugade I, who died on January 19 this year. Meanwhile, Oyo State Market
Leaders Advisory Council has directed that all markets in the 11 local
government areas of Ibadanland be shut on Friday, in honour of the coronation
ceremony of Adetunji.
A statement by Acting President of the Council,
Alhaja Mopelade Iyadunni, said the closure of the markets became imperative to
accord due honour to the foremost monarch. The advisory council is the umbrella
body for traders’ associations across the state, comprising Oyo State Market
Men and Women Association, Ibadan Joint Traders Association, Food and Canteen
Workers’ Association, Association of Trades and Artisans, as well as Nigeria
Youth Traders Action Council, among others. The statement also called on
members of all affiliate associations to join the state government, the
Adetunji family, the Olubadan-in- Council, as well as citizens of Ibadan to celebrate
the new monarch.
In the meantime, the Oyo State Government has
described as misleading and untrue, claims by some corporate organisations that
they are sponsoring the coronation of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. Special
Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, made
the clarification yesterday while addressing a press conference, in Ibadan.
He
said the coronation committee headed by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan
Balogun, which also comprised representatives from the Olubadan-in- Council;
Iyalode line and Olubadan designate’s younger brother, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji,
is the only recognised body vested with the preparation for the coronation.
Layinka, who heads the Media sub-committee for the coronation, said top
government officials, led by a former Secretary to the State Government, SSG,
Mr. Ismael Olalekan Alli, are also on the committee.
He said as at yesterday, the Oyo State Signage and
Advertisement Agency, which is responsible for giving approvals for hoardings,
had not received any application from any corporate organisation to display
hoardings in any part of the city in respect of the coronation. He then warned
that the law enforcement agencies have been put on the alert to look out for
such illegal display of hoardings under the guise of sponsorship of the
coronation. In a related development, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has approved the
conversion of the access road passing through the private residence of the
Olubadandesignate at Popoyemoja, which will also serves as his palace, to a one
way. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr. Oyesola Oyedele,
conveyed the governor’s decision at a separate press briefing.
He said the decision became necessary to forestall
the perennial logjam associated with the area, considering the expected heavy
volume of traffic in the area on Friday and subsequently. Oyedele explained
that traffic had been diverted to the adjourning roads, where he said adequate
road signs had been mounted, adding that Vehicle Inspection Officers and
officials of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority would be on hand to
guide motorists accordingly.
He then urged motorists to take note of the new
directive, warning that errant drivers would be sanctioned. The governor has also
approved today, as a public holiday in the state to commemorate the coronation.
The state government in a three paragraphs statement by the Head of Service,
Mr. Soji Eniade, urged all civil and public servants in the state, market men
and women, artisans and other members of the public to massively turn out at
the venue of the ceremony to witness the great and epoch making event. He
further added that the governor will appreciate peaceful conduct of members of
the public before, during and after the coronation ceremony.
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