Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja has inaugurated a five-member committee to proffer solutions to the worrisome issue of land grabbing in Ibadan.
The committee, charged with the task of tackling land grabbing, comprises Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Mr Musibau Adetunbi (SAN); Yinka Okunade, Rahman AbdulRaheem and Tunji Thomas.
In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, in Ibadan, Ladoja said both the Oyo State government and the Olubadan-in-Council will rid Ibadan of the menace of land grabbing.
He told the committee to hit the ground running, giving them 21 days within which to make their recommendations.
The Olubadan, however, clarified that the inauguration of the legal advisory committee was meant to strengthen the existing committee on land matters headed by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
Ladoja also urged the committee to use their discretion to co-opt anybody from any profession to join it in its assignment.
This, he said, could include town planners, surveyors, security agents and members of the bar and bench who can give them strategies to fight the scourge.
According to him, land grabbing is like an interlocking web of complex connections involving diverse interests that need to be unravelled.
“I know each of you very well. While we entertain no illusion as to the gravity of your responsibility, I have no doubt in my mind that you have the capacity to carry out the responsibility,” he said.
In the same vein, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola corroborated the Olubadan’s position, saying it had become desirable for Ibadan to take stringent action against the menace of land grabbing because it has constantly put our people in harm’s way.
According to him, if it was possible, we should seek the establishment of anti-land grabbing tribunals in the 11 local govt councils in Ibadanland.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Akintola expressed gratitude to the Olubadan and Olubadan-in-Council for giving them the privilege to serve their fatherland.
He said their inauguration was a call to the service of their fatherland and sought the co-operation and support of the Oyo State government and Ibadan people in checkmating the menace of land grabbing.
The Olubadan- in-Council meeting presided over by Oba Ladoja was attended by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola, Otun Olubadan-Designate, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Osi Balogun, Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada, Osi Olubadan-Designate, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Others include Asipa Olubadan-designate, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin, Ekerin Olubadan-designate, Oba Adebayo Akande.
Also present were the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu and Ajiroba, Professor Soji Adejumo. (NAN)
