Ibadan development progressing —Ayorinde

THE Baale Ekotedo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Dr Taye Ayorinde, has said that the development of the state capital is progressing, saying Ibadan indigenes were largely acclaimed as great warriors in the olden days.

Chief Ayorinde made the submission on Saturday at a lecture tagged: ‘The growth of Ibadan into prominence’, organised by the Rotary Club of Iyaganku-Ibadan, District 9125, held at Ibadan Tennis Club, adding that Ibadan is a silent volcano but a warring city.

The Baale averred that the largest city in Africa was a military camp during the olden days, adding that promotion during the period was based on how strong and how many slaves a soldier was able to control, a major reason while Ibadan chieftaincy titles have military colouration.

He said that Ibadan expansion came up due to liberalism which has its merits and demerits.

The Baale Ekotedo said the advent of Ibadan expansion led to the fading away of its culture and tradition; adding that its growth commenced like bush fire.

He said that traditional value and culture were no more, saying that it is incumbent on all and sundry to embrace the culture of the land.

He commended Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the various development projects.

“He is at the verge of making impossibility possible. He has seen the importance of Ibadan city project for long. He has been anointed by God to execute it,” he said.

“I am not happy about the situation in Ibadan currently. Nobody says you cannot go on strike but it has to be settled on a round table. I am not happy with the labour in the state for inciting school pupils against constituted authority. It is bad to call small children out of classrooms,” he said.

He, however, urged labour leaders not to be adamant to pleadings but negotiate with the state government.