The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has inaugurated a five-member committee to tackle the persistent menace of land grabbing across the Oyo State capital.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, Oba Ladoja, who is also a former governor of Oyo State, warned that tough times await those tarnishing Ibadan’s image through illegal land dealings.
The committee, made up entirely of legal practitioners, includes Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Barrister Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas.
In attendance at the inauguration were prominent members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Otun Olubadan-Designate, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko; Osi Balogun, Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada; Osi Olubadan-Designate, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Olubadan-Designate, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin; and Ekerin Olubadan-Designate, Oba Adebayo Akande.
Also present were the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, as well as the Ajiroba, Professor Soji Adejumo.
Charging the committee to co-opt professionals from relevant fields such as town planning, surveying, security, and the judiciary, the monarch emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to eliminating land grabbing in Ibadan.
“Land grabbing is like an interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that need to be unravelled,” Oba Ladoja said. “While we entertain no illusion about the enormity of your task, I have no doubt in your capacity to deliver.”
He further noted that both the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan-in-Council share a common resolve to rid Ibadanland of the menace.