The Oluwo of Iwoland, Osun State, Oba AbdulRashid Akanbi Adewale Telu 1 went historical on Saturday, praising the old Ibadan warriors for their gallantry at the famous Jalumi war, which he said signifies till date the freedom being enjoyed by the sons and daughters of Yorubaland.
The Iwo monarch, who spoke at the 2022 annual Aliiwo Day celebration held at the ancient Aliiwo palace, Agodi-Gate in Ibadan recalled that but for the bravery of Ibadan warriors ably supported by other warriors from different towns in Yorubaland, the Fulani would have overran the present day Yoruba Nation and subjected them to the whims and caprices of the Fulani warlords.
At the programme, which had in attendance the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Senator) Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, his kid brother and the Oyo South serving Senator, Dr. Kola Balogun, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Adebimpe, former Minister of Communications, Barr. Bayo Shittu among other dignitaries, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga said “Yoruba has no business going to National Boundary Adjustment Committee for land dispute resolution in view of the love and oneness among the Yoruba towns and villages”.
Oluwo expressed gladness at the occasion, describing his presence as home-coming and a further testimony of the bond existing between Iwo and Ibadan in general and Iwo and the present Olubadan in particular. Laced with various songs of praise to the Almighty God, the Monarch’s speech drew great applause from the audience as he requested for the presence of Olubadan and other dignitaries at the upcoming Iwo Day later in the year.
The CCII President-General in his remark according to the release made available to journalists by Oladele Ogunsola, the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan said he was happy at the presence of Oluwo and Olubadan at the event, noting that “the presence of the two monarchs signified that an end has come to the problem between Ibadan and Iwo over land.
“What’s the business of Yoruba at the National Boundary Dispute Resolution Committee, when we can resolve whatever may be contentious among us amicably in view of our brotherly love and oneness? I had thought of going to Iwo to see Oluwo over the land dispute between the two brothers (Iwo and Ibadan) and you can only imagine how happy I’m that Oluwo is around”, he said.
Prince Adeaga took the opportunity to appraise the performances of the representatives of the people, who are of Ibadan extraction at the legislative level of governance in the country and awarded them distinction, saying, “our representatives are very very responsible. In any examination, 70% is a distinction which is what I award them. They are worthy of commendation and we are very proud of them”.
The CCII PG reiterated the commitment of the apex body of all the socio-cultural organizations in Ibadanland to the completion of the ongoing new Olubadan Palace project at Oke-Are with a promise that the project would be completed very soon and that the current Olubadan would be the first monarch to occupy it, a promise that drew wild applause from the Aliiwo sons and daughters.
Highlight of the programme which featured cultural dance and paying of homage to Kabiyesi by the various sections of the Aliiwo dynasty was the presentation of award of excellence to two prominent sons of Ibadan- Hon. Olaide Akinremi, the current House of Representatives member representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency and Mogaji Yerombi Oranyan, an Ibadan hinterland, Chief Oladiran Alabi Fajinmi.
Packaged by Dare Raji
