Olubadan Is A Symbol Of Peace In Oyo State - Ezendigbo Anozie
The president of non indigene traditional head in Oyo state, His Royal highness, Eze (Dr.) Alex Anozie who also doubles as the Ezendigbo of Oyo state has identified the Olubadan of Ibadan, His imperial majesty, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun as a symbol of peace in the state.
Responding to questions from a newshunt in his Oke-Ado office in Ibadan, the medical doctor turned traditional leader spoke on the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadan among other sundry issues. Excerpts:
Q: Oba Senator Olalekan Balogun has received the staff of office as the Olubadan of Ibadan. How do you feel with this development and what are your recommendations to the new monarch?
A: I am very happy and elated about this development and we will be able to sustain the existing peace in the state.
It is not by power but by His grace that senator Balogun emerged as a Royal father and all the ethnic groups in the state are fully ready to give him maximum support for him to succeed in office.
I will be celebrating twenty five years on the throne in the next couple of months and since my ascension as the Eze, the Igbo group in Ibadan has continued to sustain peace; we go about our businesses and maintain cordial relations with the public.
My recommendations to the new Olubadan of Ibadan is that he should build on the positive legacies of his predecessors in office. That reminds me of the late Oba Adetunji. He was very humble, accommodating to all non indigenes in the state and I think that legacy should be sustained. Ibadan people are very friendly. Their hospitality has no bound and no measure, and on our own end, we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate quarters.
Q: What do you think should be the major focus of the monarch?
A: My submission is that he should focus more on maintaining peace in the state. He should continue to sustain programs that will enhance peace in the state; that should be his number one focus. Truth, Justice and fearness should be his watchword and he should endeavour to investigate issues before passing judgement. With this, he will be able to give fair hearing to the people.
Anybody that is doing something that is not right, he should invite such people and advise them accordingly, and those that are doing the right thing, he should encourage them to do more.
Q: What has been your success story over the years?
A: Peace - issues that should have resulted in crisis were resolved amicably or have you had in Oyo State that the Igbo's are creating crisis? We were able to tolerate one another.
Yes, there are challenges but God has been on our side and we will continue to triumph.
Q: What is your message to the monarch?
A: My message to Kabiyesi is that God will continue to direct him and bless him in all ramifications. The kind of wisdom that was given to King Solomon in the Bible will be given to him by God to lead his people.
I pray for sound health and long life for Olubadan and I would like to use this medium to assure him that all the non indigenes in the state will support him and cooperate with him.
Ibadan is a very peaceful place to stay not until the Oke ogun crisis started and we thank God for his Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde for his wisdom towards resolving the issue.
On this note, I think all the ethnic groups in Nigeria should feel at home in whatever part of the country they reside and that is what is called true Nigeria. Nigeria is a beautiful country blessed with both human and capital resources; the only challenge we have is greedy rulers emptying the treasury.
Q: Lastly, what is your opinion as regards the agitation of Biafra state?
A: marginalisation, injustice and insecurity. Infact, Nigeria does not have any value for human life so these are challenges and when the government is unable to proffer solutions to these questions, the people will look for an alternative.
The Igbo's are the number one in the country when you talk of economy and we are succeeding in our businesses, investing in all the parts of the country and adding value to the economy of the country and this indicates that we believe in one Nigeria.
It shows that we can never allow Nigeria to break but when you are being pushed to the wall and they see that succour is not on the way they have to react.
I want to see a Nigeria where there will be fairness, Justice and equity. We need to improve on the safety of lives and properties; when this happens, the region agitations will go underground.
I can assure you if we have passionate leaders that are ready to fix this country, regional agitations will become history.
