Holders of Ibadan chieftaincy titles have been charged to see their titles as responsibilities towards the progress, growth and development of Ibadanland.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, gave the charge at the installation of three eminent personalities, on Friday.
The first class traditional ruler also advised that the chieftaincy title holders should at all times prioritize the interests of Ibadan and its people.
Chief (Mrs.) Julianah Raimi, Chief Laja Akintayo and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Olukemi Akintayo, and Chief (Mrs) Sefiat Olatoyosi Adetoyese were installed as Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State, Jagunmolu Apesinola, Yeye Jagunmolu Apesinola of Ibadanland and Yeye-Oba of Ibadanland, respectively.
The Olubadan said, in a press statement by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, that the new title holders were considered for the exalted titles, based on their past activities.
Oba Balogun enjoined them not to relent in making their relevance felt in Ibadanland as he prayed for them to live long in robust and sound health.
Reacting to the new titles bestowed on him and his wife, the Jagunmolu Apesinola of Ibadanland, Chief Akintayo, praised Oba Balogun for the honour done him and his wife.
He also made a pledge to continue doing his best for his fatherland despite the fact that he is based in the United States (US).
“It doesn’t affect me because I’m part and parcel of Ibadanland through the activities of CCII, through the activities of Ibadan Descendants’ Union and many others.
“So, this chieftaincy title has challenged me again to make sure I do more and give back to Ibadanland.
“I will mobilize other people, especially in the Diaspora, to make Ibadan bigger than what it is and make sure that Ibadanland maintains her status of pacesetter state.
“It is our town and it is big. So there is the need to contribute our own quotas to its development.
“I have been contributing my own quota to the progress of Ibadan in the past 40 years and I will continue to be doing that. So, I pray God to give me more strength,” the new Jagunmolu Apesinola added.
On her part, the newly-installed Yeye-Oba, Chief (Mrs.) Adetoyese, said she was elated by the title which was a function of a long-lasting relationship between her and Ibadanland in general and Olubadan in particular.
She said: “It is a big responsibility which I have come to accept with every sense of commitment and humility.
“I know the enormity of the responsibility demanded by the title and I promise not to let down Kabiyesi and Ibadanland.”
The new Yeye-Oba of Ibadanland praised Oba Balogun for her new title and for having faith and confidence in her, not minding her age.
“Our Kabiyesi has proved himself a man of integrity and somebody with a heart of thanksgiving.
“The journey has been long and what we have witnessed today was a recognition of loyalty and dependability.
“I say it once again, I won’t let down our revered father and Ibadan as a whole. I thank the Almighty Allah for making today a reality”.
The Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Julianah Raimi, said the title bestowed on her was in recognition of her pioneering efforts in market men and women unionism in the state.
She stressed that she took the title “to help use my wealth of experience to strengthen the market men and women unionism and make it more functional, effective and efficient.
“I’m not in contention with anybody or any officer of the market union, but to provide the expected leadership, especially in the relationship between the Palace and the market.
“I have observed that the authority of the Palace over our markets is being eroded and it should not be so.
“I have gotten the experience and will make it to bear with my new title,” the octogenarian new Asiwaju Oloja of Oyo State added.
