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• Oba Ladoja launches onslaught, inaugurates committee to tackle menace
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has stoutly launched a fierce onslaught against land grabbers. He declared: “They are responsible for tarnishing Ibadan’s reputation. And they will soon face tough times.”
The monarch issued the warning at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, while inaugurating a five-member committee of legal practitioners saddled with the responsibility of addressing the menace of land grabbing “from a legal standpoint.”
Olubadan’s media aide, Mr. Adeola Oloko, disclosed that committee members included Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem and Tunji Thomas. Adetunbi, however, was unavoidably absent at the inauguration.
Charging the committee to collaborate with professionals from other sectors such as town planning, surveying and security agencies, Oba Ladoja said: “You should hit the ground running and submit your recommendations within 21 days.
“Land grabbing in Ibadan is an interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that must be unraveled. While we entertain no illusion as to the gravity of your assignment, I have no doubt in my mind about your capacity to deliver.
“This legal advisory committee will complement the efforts of the existing committee on land matters headed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori. The Olubadan-in-Council and the Oyo State Government share a common commitment to eradicating the menace.
Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, commended the initiative: “Land grabbing is a dangerous trend that endangers residents.” He called for the creation of anti-land grabbing tribunals in all 11 local governments in Ibadanland to ensure swift justice.
Akintola thanked the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council for the opportunity to serve: “It is a call to service of the fatherland. We will work closely with the Oyo State Government and Ibadan stakeholders to stamp out the scourge. The committee’s work will reinforce the state government’s ongoing efforts to combat land grabbing.”
The Olubadan-in-Council meeting, presided over by Oba Ladoja, had in attendance Oba Ajibola; Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Otun Olubadan-designate, Oba Eddy Oyewole; 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.
Other included Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu and the Ajiroba of Ibadanland, Professor Soji Adejumo.
