Oba (Senator) Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland on Tuesday commended the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRoshid Akanbi Adewale for his commitment to growth, progress and development of his people and Yorubaland in general, describing him as an asset to mankind.
Oba Balogun gave this commendation during his visit to the Oluwo in his palace at Iwo alongside some of his Olubadan-in-Council members, Senior Chief and Mogajis as well as some Aliiwo sons and daughters led by the Oyo South Senator, Dr. Kola Balogun.
At the carnival-like reception in the beautifully decorated hall where there were some Obas from around the ancient Iwo town in attendance, including Alawo of Awo, Akire of Ikire, Onileegbo of Ileegbo among others, Olubadan expressed surprise at the turn-out of people noting that he only came back home on a private visit to his brother and friend.
Describing Oluwo as a brilliant monarch, Oba Balogun said his activities over the years had proved him as somebody with knack for achievements among which he said culminated in the recent decision by the two governments of Oyo and Osun States to rehabilitate the road connecting that two states that runs from Ibadan (Oyo State capital) through Iwo to Osogbo (the capital of Osun State).
In his short speech, Oluwo described the visit as very unique and important to him, saying, “that somebody from Iwo lineage rose to become Olubadan of Ibadanland, the largest city in West Africa and the third of such in the whole continent of Africa during his reign as Oluwo gives me great joy that is even difficult to express.
“I’m aware that the history of Aliiwo is also traced to Ogbomoso which nobody can dispute, but, the centrality and importance of Iwo makes it special and which is reflected in the suffix-Alli Iwo. They are called by that name because they hail from Iwo, otherwise, they would have called them ‘Alli Ogbomoso’. Frankly speaking, we are one and that’s what we should all hold on to”.
Oba AbdulRashid Akanbi Adewale thanked Olubadan and his entourage for the visit with a promise to continue doing all within his power and ability to improve his environment, urging for the cooperation and support of all. “The efforts that produced the rehabilitation result of Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road by the States’ governments concerned are still very much there for similar purpose as occasion may demand”, he added.
The Chairman, Iwo Board of Trustees, Prof. Lai Olorode in his welcome address in his appraising the visit said he could not recall when last an Olubadan visited the ancient Iwo town, noting that though, the late Alaafin visited the town, the visit could not be compared with the one by Olubadan with the massive entourage.
The former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner praised Ibadan for its hospitality, recalling that “it is a place where people go to and make it in life. Yet, it never diminishes in growth, ever-expanding and one other unique characteristic of Ibadans is that they don’t forget home wherever they may be”.
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