Oyo State governor, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde has pledged that the state government will not deprive traditional rulers in the state of their entitlements.
Governor Makinde who stated this at the grand finale of the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival held at the Obafemi Awolowo Liberty Stadium on Saturday, also noted that the Council of Obas and Chiefs had been in abeyance before his assumption of office in 2019.
He assured that traditional rulers would begin to get their dues, including official vehicles, as soon as the council was constituted.
Makinde further disclosed that he had mandated all the eleven local government areas 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.
“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,” ha said.
Makinde added, “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.”
For his part, Governor Diri who received the ‘Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland,’ award at the event commended Makinde for his unprecedented performance and for making the people of the state happy.
Diri also thanked the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes for recognising his efforts.
While stressing that governance was about the people, he charged them to continue supporting Makinde to develop the state.
“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, Engr. 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,” Governor Diri said.
Presenting the award earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who was represented by the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, said the award was in recognition of Diri’s outstanding support, inclusive leadership and contribution to the Ibadan indigenes in Bayelsa State.
Also, the chairman of the event, Bamidele Samson, who is the chairman of 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, the chairman planning committee of the festival, Chief Abiola Alli, thanked all the stakeholders for their contributions and their performances since the week began.
President-General of CCII, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole lauded Makinde’s unflinching support to the Council, Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
He equally thanked all Ibadan indigenes home and abroad for their multidimensional support towards the success of the event.
