PHOTOS: Olubadan, Oyo monarchs visit Villa, thank Tinubu over Oriire victims’ rescue, federal road projects
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Thursday led a delegation of prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State on a thank-you visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to appreciate the Federal Government’s role in the rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, guardian.ngreported.
Oba Ladoja, who is also the Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the visit was also to commend the Tinubu administration for ongoing and proposed federal road projects aimed at improving connectivity across Oyo State and neighbouring states.
The monarch listed the proposed dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road, and the Badagry-Sokoto Highway passing through the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of the state as critical infrastructure projects capable of unlocking economic opportunities in many communities.
According to the monarch, the road projects would stimulate socio-economic development by opening up towns and villages along the corridors, while improving transportation and commercial activities. He pledged the support and cooperation of traditional institutions and residents to ensure the smooth execution of the projects.
On the recent rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire, Ladoja said although the traditional rulers had confidence in the capability of security agencies, they remained apprehensive over the safe return of the victims.
He said the successful rescue justified the decision of the royal fathers to express their appreciation to the President and other stakeholders who contributed to the operation.
“We never doubted the capacity of the Nigerian security agencies, but there were concerns about whether the victims would be recovered safely. We are here to appreciate President Bola Tinubu and all those whose efforts made their rescue possible,” he said.
The Olubadan disclosed that the traditional rulers had intended to begin the appreciation visits with Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday, but the meeting could not hold.
The delegation included the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin, who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso; and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan, who represented the Okere of Saki.
