Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland, has promised to promote justice and fairness in his reign as he is no longer a politician.
Olubadan, who was a former governor of Oyo State, made the promise while receiving some eminent Nigerians, who paid homage to his palace recently.
They include: Abubakar Atiku, former vice president in company of Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River, Iyorcha Ayu, former senate president, among others.
Oba Ladoja, who was installed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland recently, welcomed the delegation and assured that he would use his reign and the rest of his life to serve Ibadan people, Oyo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.
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“I promise to make everybody proud of me as the Olubadan of the ancient city, by ensuring fairness and justice for all,” he said.
Recalling his good old times with Atiku and other politicians in the country, he said that as the Olubadan, he is no longer a politician.
The former governor recalled, “We started from SDP, we were in exile together, we were in PDP together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.
“I was an active politician before but with my new status now, I have to quit politics, but am a father to all now”.
However, Atiku congratulated the monarch and said that the delegation regretted not attending his coronation.
“It was not intentional, protocol arrangements did not allow us to come during the coronation, not that we don’t want to come,” Atiku said.
He pointed out that Oba Ladoja had played a crucial role in nation-building saying, “We are here to say congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja, we know your roles and relationship with some of us”.
Meanwhile, the new Olubadan of Ibadanland has unveiled his socio-economic plans for the ancient city by assuring investors of an enabling environment.
While speaking at a thanksgiving service in his honour at the Ascension of Christ Catholic Church, Bodija, Ibadan, he called on both local and foreign investors to come to Ibadan and invest, assuring of a favourable environment.
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“My major assignment as the Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland. I implore investors to come and invest in Ibadan as I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure that Ibadan and Oyo State at large maintain their pace-setter status,” the royal father said.
