The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has revealed the rationale behind the visit of traditional rulers in Oyo State to President Bola Tinubu.
Olubadan in a statement signed by his media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, noted that Ladoja and other traditional rulers visited Tinubu to thank him for the release of the abducted students and teachers in the state.
Recall that the Olubadan and other prominent traditional rulers in Oyo State visited Tinubu on Thursday.
Other traditional rulers in the entourage of Olubadan include the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; and the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Other monarchs at the meeting were the Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; the Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin, who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso; and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan.
Oba Ladoja, who also doubles as Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the visit to President Tinubu was also aimed at appreciating the efforts of his administration in tackling the deplorable condition of federal roads linking Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general with neighbouring states.
According to the monarch, the roads include the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, the dualisation of the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road, and the Badagry-Sokoto Road through the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State.
He said the roads, when completed, would open up many towns and villages along the corridor.
He said, ‘The visit to Mr President was also aimed at appreciating the efforts of his administration in tackling the deplorable condition of federal roads linking Ibadan in particular, and Oyo State in general, with neighbouring states.
‘On the recent release of abducted teachers and students in Oriire from captivity, Oba Ladoja stated that even though they did not doubt the capacity of the Nigerian security operatives to deliver, there were fears over the possibility of the victims’ recovery at some point.
‘This is why we believe that the efforts of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all stakeholders are commendable.’