Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured that his government would not deprive traditional rulers in the state their entitlements.
The governor stated this at the grand finale of the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival held at the Obafemi Awolowo Liberty Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan, on Saturday.
The governor said the Council of Obas and Chiefs had been in abeyance before his assumption of office in 2019.
He added that traditional rulers would begin to get their due, including official vehicles, as soon as the council is constituted.
Makinde said he had mandated all the 11 local government councils in Ibadanland to provide a befitting fleet of vehicles for the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin before the end of May.
He thanked the people of Oyo State for supporting his government, and also the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) for the award of recognition given to the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Makinde said: “I want to thank the CCII for recognising my brother-colleague. I only have one thing to say, which you can take home.
“People have been asking me what is happening to Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers but I said there was no Council before I came in.
“The Speaker [of the state House of Assembly] is here, they could not put together the Council.
“They have also been asking why have we not given a vehicle befitting the status of the Olubadan of Ibadanland to him.
“I have sent a message to the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland and I said they must provide a befitting fleet of vehicles for the Olubadan, and they must do it before the end of this month.
“Once they put together the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State, then the state will give what is due to all the traditional rulers.”
After receiving the Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland Award, Governor Douye Diri commended Governor Makinde for his unprecedented performances and for making the people of the state happy.
Diri thanked the CCII for recognising the efforts of Governor Makinde. He stressed that governance is about the people and charged CCII to continue to support Makinde to develop the state.
The Bayelsa State governor said: “We are indeed very elated to stand before you, the people of Ibadan. We never saw this coming.
“We want to, on behalf of the government and the good people of Bayelsa State, express our appreciation to you, particularly to my very good and workaholic friend who is the governor of this state, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde.
“Government is about the people and I believe that Governor Makinde is working well and the people are rejoicing. My Bible tells me that when good people rule, the people rejoice.
“From the depth of our hearts, we appreciate what has happened here. Before we came here, we never knew this would be a very great event.
“We all know that the governor is working towards the development of this state. So, continue to support him.”
Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who presented the award on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, said it was in recognition of Senator Diri’s outstanding support, inclusive leadership and contribution to the Ibadan Indigenes in Bayelsa State.
Also, Chairman of the event, Architect Bamidele Samson, Chairman, BOVAS Oil and Gas, urged all Ibadan people to always exhibit the use of Yoruba Language, culture and religion for the promotion of tradition and cultural heritage.
In his welcome address, Chairman Planning Committee of Ibadan Cultural Festival, Chief Abiola Alli, thanked all the stakeholders for their contributions and their performances since the week began.
In his remarks, President-General, CCII, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole, lauded Governor Makinde’s unflinching support to Council, Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
He equally thanked Ibadan indigenes home and abroad for their multidimensional support towards the success of the event.
