Ex-Oyo SSG praises Obasanjo at installation as Ibadan chief

http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/From-left-are-Obasanjo-Olubadan-and-Olakojo..jpg

 

By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)

NIGERIA: EX-SECRETARY to the Oyo State Government, Chief Layiwola Olakojo, has explained the magnanimity of the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to concede to him the chieftaincy title offered him by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

Olakojo, who last Saturday became the Maiyegun of Ibadanland, said that Oba Adetunji had given the title to Obasanjo, but the ex-President voluntarily relinquished it to him as an honour.

Olakojo explained that Obasanjo, who is the Balogun of Owu in Abeokuta, pleaded with Olubadan that he had gotten too many chieftaincy titles and as such the Maiyegun should be conferred on him as one of his (Obasanjo) loyalists.

“The Olubadan wanted to give a chieftaincy title to Baba Obasanjo.  But Baba said he had got so many chieftaincy titles from across the country,” the ex-SSG said, adding: “He told Olubadan to give it to me because I have served Ibadanland.”

“This was why Baba put in everything.  In fact, he ought to have traveled to Italy, but shifted his travel.  I feel very happy and fulfilled.  It is God’s doing and not my making.  There is the divine hand of God in the affairs of men,” Olakojo said.

The new Maiyegun further said: “Now, I should be more loyal to Ibadan people. Secondly, I should be doubly loyal to Obasanjo.  I will serve Ibadan more loyally and contribute to its progress as well as the progress of the Olubadan. Within the next two weeks, you will see what I will do in the Olubadan palace.”

Olakojo, an indigene of Oyo, who served under ex-Governor Alao Akala administration, when asked if the title was a case of a prophet getting honour outside his homestead, said “it could be so because I have not been made a chief in my home town.”

The installation was attended by Obasanjo, ex-Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the Agba Akin of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Alabi, Chief Oyewole Fasawe and former Zonal Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, who is the founder of Penpushing, a social media platform.

• For any reaction or to contact GatewayMail newspaper, Toronto, Canada email us at: info@gatewaymail.org, whatsapp or text message: +2348033186252 (no calls).