Olubadan Will Run An All-Inclusive Leadership System - Rufai
It is intended that we will run an all-inclusive leadership system where all the chiefs will be involved, association of Baales, thought leaders, among other stakeholders in Ibadanland.
This statement is credited to the personal Assistant to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Hakeem Rufai, during an interview at the palace of the monarch. He also spoke on several sundry issues as it affects the people of Ibadan.
Excerpts:
Q: Governor Seyi Makinde has named senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland. Does he have a vision for the people?
A: Yes, he does have a vision and we pray that God should give him the time, strength, wisdom, understanding and good health to activate his mission for the people. He has been holding meetings with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Association of Mogajas in Ibadan, among other interest groups to chart a way forward for Ibadan.
Kabiyesi laid emphasis on the fact that appointment of leadership into the traditional institutions in Ibadan will be based on merit, in the sense of looking at how appointees have excelled in the past. Appointment will be based on track record and personal achievements in Ibadan so that we can get the best for the town.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun will not disappoint his people.
Q: Talking about rebranding the traditional system in Ibadan to give it a 21st century approach, what is his stand on this?
A: The system as we all know is about training and indoctrination; it takes a period of years before you get promoted and ascend to the pinnacle. We will run an-inclusive leadership system where the monarch will listen to the high chiefs, Royal highnesses, Association of Baales, thought leaders, among other stakeholders in Ibadan to brainstorm on the approach that activities will take.
We trust God to be able to leverage on the experiences of Kabiyesi in the academic and business world. Already, we have started receiving expressions of interest to what should make a landmark and we promise to put them in place and collaborate with united nations, private organisations and individuals who are after development and betterment of Ibadanland.
Q: Kabiyesi was a former senator in the hallow chambers in Abuja. During this period, can you point to a few impacts he made in office?
A: Yes, he was a senator over twenty years ago and the impact is still there for people to see. As a law maker, he represented his Federal constituency effectively in the hallow chambers through presentation of bills and motions that has gone a long way to add value to the people.
In addition to that, he also succeeded in attracting federal government presence to his consistency through conceptualization of projects which has elevated the state of the people.
In the area of social infrastructure, people made his house a Mecca to benefit from his benevolence. During this period, Kabiyesi also had the motive of helping young ones to grow and flourish; so with his connections at the federal and state level, he has been able to secure job opportunities for so many people.
He facilitates road projects and electrification projects to some localities which people still applaud him for till date. He is also a man of his words, giving scholarships to students of tertiary institutions and facilitating justice for the oppressed; Baba will use his last kobo to ensure that the less privileged are not oppressed.
Q: Stakeholders in Ibadan are of the view that president Buhari should create Ibadan state. Do you think the Olubadan in council will be in support of this?
A: The Olubadan in council has 100% support for the creation of Ibadan state. The resources that are being divided with other sections of the state would be allocated for the development of Ibadan. Oyo state has 33 local governments and out of the 33, Ibadan has eleven local governments. Even in terms of population, our population is over ten million.
We are viable economically, socially and infrastructural wise, Ibadan is bigger than some states in Nigeria and there is no son of Ibadan that will not desire to have Ibadan state.
Of course, the current senator happens to be the brother of Kabiyesi and he has continually made agitations for the creation of Ibadan state and we pray that very soon, Ibadan state will come to reality.
Q: What are your recommendations to Governor Seyi Makinde as regards grassroots development in Oyo state?
A: Governor Seyi Makinde is a grassroot man. I remember one of his landmark events during his birthday, he went to Oke-Ogun to have the program which means he is a governor that listens to the people and he has done a lot as regards road constructions in the state.
I can tell you, if he could fix our roads and ensure 24 hours power supply, Oyo state will be the destination of choice for all investors in Africa.
Q: What is your message to the people of Ibadan?
A: My message to the people of Ibadan is that we should give peace a chance and be our brother's keeper.
It is only God that gives power. We should all see ourselves as our brothers' keeper; those that are blessed materially should remember the needy by extending helping hands to them.
To those in diaspora, they should remember to invest in their fatherland in a bid to create jobs for the youth and also give them a rewarding future. Lastly, we should all endeavour to support the Olubadan in council with prayers for us to excel as a people.
