THE Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday, installed 20-year-old Mr Solomon Oluwatenilola Adegbola, Alhaji Taiwo Kamorudeen Ige Akande, Chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Ogun State, and Chief Executive Officer, Asiwaju Group of Companies, Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan and as Mogaji Arogundade, Ita Ege, Agbongbon, Mogaji Afolabi Olasupo, Olorisa Oko, Mogaji Fosunpaja and Idi-Arere area respectively and seven others as Mogaji at his Popoyemoja palace on Monday.
Akande, a business mogul and industrialist described the honour bestowed on him by the Olubadan as a privilege and honour to serve the people of Ibadan in a broader capacity.
Mogaji Arogundade, who was accompanied by his partner and parents; Mr and Mrs Sola Adegbola were the cynosure of all eyes as people continuously gazed on the man regarded as the youngest Mogaji in recent times in Ibadanland.
Others who were installed include: Mogaji Olukusa, Amunigun Agbeni area, Mogaji Ibrahim Sheriff Akano Adetunji, Mogaji Makinde, Oke-Offa Atipe area, Makinde Kabiru Ademola, Mogaji Olasupo Asa family, Oke-Foko Agbeni, Rasaq Oladipupo, Mogaji Daada Family, Oje area, Musibau Alimi Raji, Mogaji Opayinka Family Kosodo area, Kayode Taiwo Alaka and Mogaji Ogidi, Oke-Offa Atipe area, Aderemi Ibrahim Babalola.
Speaking with journalists, Mogaji Akande said he considers it a great honour to be installed as Mogaji of his compound and as an opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of Ibadanland as a whole.
He said “I consider it as a big honour to be considered for this exalted position in my family and Ibadan. I also see it as another challenge to me to be more committed to the welfare and development of my people, town in general. With this, I re-affirm my determination not to let down all that have considered me for this privilege. I am quite sure it helps to get more commitment from me too and to the service of my fatherland.”
Mogaji Oluwateniola, a Business Economics undergraduate of the University of Warrick Coventry, United Kingdom said he is happy to be the youngest Mogaji, stating that he was elated by the warm reception he got from the Olubadan, Oba Adetunji, Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and Iyalode Ibadan Alhaja Aminat Abiodun.
He said “Our father, Olubadan of Ibadan was happy to see him and could not hide his joy at seeing me. He encouraged me, smiling likewise High Chief Ladoja.They were all happy to see me as the Mogaji of Arogundade family.”
Olaniyan, in an interview with journalists, said he had served Nigeria in so many capacities and his new role as Mogaji in Ibadan would position him to contribute more to the progress of the city.
He said “I thank Almighty God for making it possible. I pray to become Olubadan and that is my vision. Also, I crave for Ibadan State. I will start putting that in my prayers now. And I will work within my capacity and connections to realise the dream of having Ibadan State.”
Olaniyan, who threw his weight behind Olubadan on his objection to the review of the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the Oyo State Government, also enjoined some Ibadan youth that has been unleashing the reign of terror in certain parts of the city to turn over a new leaf.
“I am appealing to the youth to be good ambassadors of Ibadanland. We are known for peace and our forefathers had their names written on the rock as peacemakers. So, I am appealing to them to be law abiding citizens of this state and law-abiding citizens of Ibadanland,” he stated.