Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, was on Thursday, formally presented his Letter of Appointment as the Chancellor of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Kano State.
The university was named after the late Hajia Sa’adatu Rimi, the wive of a former governor of the state during the Second Republic, the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi.
This was as the governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was showered with encomium for what was described as his uncommon and undying love for the oneness of the country.
The traditional ruler was presented the Letter of Appointment, dated 4th April, 2023, at his Alarere residence by the Oba of Yoruba Kano, Alhaji Dr. Muritala Otisese.
As contained in the letter, personally signed by Governor Ganduje, the appointment of the Olubadan as the chancellor took effect from the 15th March, 2023.
The appointment was in recognition of Oba Balogun’s competence, proven integrity, academic excellence, patriotic disposition as well as his exhibited commitment at uplifting the educational standard of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the Olubadan, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, thanked the Kano State governor for the gesture which he described as a handshake across the Niger.
He said it was so desirable at such a crucial time in the life of the country and maintained that, with more of the Kano State governor in acts and deeds across the country, all the divisive tendencies would vanish into the thin air.
High Chief Adebimpe described the appointment as the beginning of more good things to accompany the reign of Oba Balogun, who is still in the mood of his first year coronation anniversary.
He noted that when the Kano State governor was honoured with the honorary Chieftaincy title of Fiwajoye of Ibadanland about a year ago, little did anybody think a seed of glorious occasion like this was being planted.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland called for more of hands of fellowship among the various ethnic and tribal blocs in the country.
He said: “We need more of such cooperation, honour and friendship among the various groups of people in the country for sustained peace and stability.
“One good turn deserves another aptly captures what we are witnessing today. One can only wish our kabiyesi more years of honour and recognition for our native land.
“Convey our gratitude to His Excellency, Dr. Ganduje, for this great honour done Ibadan through our revered father.
“Only God appoints people into positions of authority and we thank God for counting our kabiyesi worthy of this unique appointment.
“I rejoice with him; I rejoice with myself and the entire Ibadan people just as I also rejoice the Kano State governor, the people of Kano and Nigerians as a whole for this kind of important milestone.”
Oba Yoruba Kano, Alhaji Dr Otisese, making the presentation, also praised Governor Ganduje for his open-heartedness and strong faith and belief in the oneness of the country.
He noted that the governor bagged Ibadan chieftaincy title, alongside his wife, because of the existing rapport between him and the Yoruba residents in Kano and other non-indigenes.
Otisese said the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education chancellorship appointment given to Oba Balogun was a product of several years of existing relationship between him and the people of Kano.
“Not many people would appreciate that what we are witnessing now was the fruit of the seed of love, oneness and comradeship which was planted several years ago by the Olubadan.
“What the government of Kano State has done is to ensure that the hitherto existing bond does not break.
“His Excellency, Dr. Ganduje has proved himself over the years a detribalised leader, who opens his doors wide to the people without any form of discrimination.
“This gesture of his earned him the Ibadan chieftaincy title he bagged about a year ago and what we are witnessing today is a further testimony of his openness to all.
“I congratulate our revered father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, for making another history in Ibadan traditional system, having held the epitaph of the most educated oba to have emerged in Ibadan History,” he added.
In his remarks, Senator Kola Balogun thanked the government and people of Kano State for the honour done the Olubadan.
The senator, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, recalled the sojourn of Oba Balogun in the northern part of the country when he came back from the United Kingdom where he had gone in search of the proverbial golden fleece in the early 1970s.
He said Kano State government did a great deal of research to know and appreciate the relationship that existed between the late former Governor Abubakar Rimi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Senator Balogun said the bond of friendship between the late former governor, his Kaduna State counterpart, late Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the late Alhaji Aminu Kano and other left-wing ideologues of that time either in politics or academics was uncommon.
This, he said, informed the decision of the Olubadan to join the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) founded by the late Aminu Kano when he decided to go into politics.
He also recalled the brief stay of Oba Balogun at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria during which he (Senator Balogun) too was with him in the northern part of the country.
“The kind of love for one another across the country then is what is at display now with this appointment by Governor Ganduje.
“Kabiyesi is very excited about it as it brought into fore the memory of the good old days. By the grace of the Almighty Allah, the confidence reposed in our revered father won’t be a misplaced one.
“I thank the government and good people of Kano State for this gesture on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, his immediate and extended families and the entire good people of Ibadanland.
“I pray that the Almighty Allah would continue to uphold our country-Nigeria in peace,” Senator Kola Balogun further stated.
Present at the presentation were some of the Ibadan high chiefs, senior chiefs, baales and mogajis, as well as the past and current presidents of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
