The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has said a courtesy visit on him by Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has rekindled his fond memories of the old Kano State.
Governor Ganduje and the Emir of Kano were at the Alarere residence of Oba Balogun, on Saturday, to felicitate him on his formal installation as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, on Friday, by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.
The Olubadan traced his relationship with Kano back to his friendship with Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and Alhaji Balarabe Musa (both late former governors of Kano and Kaduna states, respectively).
Oba Lekan Balogun told his two visitors that he always felt at home any time he heard Kano State being mentioned around him.
The new Olubadan, who is a former lecturer at the Ahmadu Hello University (ABU), Zaria and a former director at the Kano State-owned Triumph Newspapers, said the visit rekindled his fond memories of his good old days in the northern part of the country as well as those of his late friends.
He assured Ganduje, the Emir of Kano and their team of his readiness to work with them to strengthen the existing relationship between Ibadan and Kano towards making Nigeria a safe haven for all and sundry, irrespective of tribe, language and religion.
Governor Ganduje had earlier told the Olubadan that Ibadan is a home to every Kano person and vice-versa, noting that he is part and parcel of the ancient city, with his daughter being married to Idris Ajimobi, the son of a late former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
The governor said “whatever affects Ibadan affects me”, adding that his knowledge of the relationship that existed between Oba Balogun and the late Alhaji Rimi strengthened his love for the new Olubadan.
He enjoined the paramount ruler of Ibadanland to continue to work towards the unity of the country which he said was very solid in time past and which engendered the loving relationship between the late Rimi who he described as his boss and the new Olubadan.
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Ganduje disclosed that he was at the University of Ibadan, where he had his PhD 29 years ago, to deliver a lecture on security, as an alumnus, and seized the opportunity to pay homage to the new traditional ruler of Ibadanland.
Also speaking, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, told Oba Balogun that both the government and traditional institution in Kano State were happy for him as one of them and enjoined him to maintain the cordial relationship existing between the two ancient cities.
The first class Kano traditional ruler said it is through such handshake across the Niger which made the country great in the past, adding that such should be rekindled towards building a new Nigeria where every part would be home to and for everybody.
The Kano entourage was led on the visit to the Olubadan by a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Alhaji Olalekan Alli; former Special Adviser (Media) to late former Governor Ajimobi, Mr. Bolaji and Idris Ajimobi, an in-law to Governor Ganduje of Kano State.
