Governor Ajimobi in group photograph with executive members of CCII

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, has promised to establish a foundation that would institutionalise the political and historical strength of Ibadan, the Oyo State cap, during the forthcoming 69th birthday of the GovernorAbiola Ajimobi.

The CCII, which is the umbrella body for all indigenous socio-cultural societies and clubs of Ibadan extraction at home and in the Diaspora, said that the proposed Ajimobi Foundation for Advanced Democracy, AFAD, would also inspire and serve as incubation ground for youths aspiring for political offices.

The President of CCII, Chief Yemi Soladoye, who said this during a ‘thank you visit’ to Ajimobi by the executive members of the council and affiliate Oluyole Social Elite, in his office, added that the council had lined up these activities in recognition of the governor’s achievements.

He said that the establishment of the foundation was important to avert the crisis that might confront future leaders in piloting the affairs of the state for greater development.

Besides the foundation, he said that there would be an award ceremony, adding that the council was equally planning to publish a book, Koseleri, to further celebrate the governor on his birthday.

Soladoye said that the CCII decided to honour the governor in appreciation of his unprecedented achievements so far, despite what he called daunting opposition from those averse to change and reforms.

He stressed that the projects, policies and activities of the Ajimobi-led administration have changed the face of Ibadan, as well as the entire state.

For instance, he declared that the administration had excelled in the areas of job creation, establishment and maintenance of peace and enduring security; the combination of which he said had promoted the growth of socio-economic activities in the state.

Similarly, he said that the massive urban renewal programmes of the government have given the state a facelift.

Soladoye said, “We have not come here today with any shopping list or accusation of marginalization, threat of militancy or requests for schools, hospitals, pipe borne water or good roads. Rather, we have come with our thank you list to Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the governor of Oyo State in particular and the Federal Government in general. To the governor, we say thank you for the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, secondary school reforms, cheap mass transit buses, youths empowerment programme (YES-O), the Technical University, modernization of our markets and abattoirs and improved environment, with the Agodi Gardens as an example. We thank you for the modernization of inter-state bus garages, the crisis-free relationship between the three arms of the government, up-scaling of our Customary justice system up to Appeal court level and the new corporate look of our public servants”.

He concluded, “Furthermore, we say thank you very much indeed for the Ibadan circular road, the Ibadan Masterplan, the Ibadan intra-city roads, your significant supports to the CCII since 2012, your initiation of a befitting Olubadan palace, security of lives and properties in Ibadanland, the world-class crowning ceremony for our Olubadan in 2016 among other many landmark achievements of your tenure. The CCII is putting up a three-phase comprehensive programme to celebrate your birthday on December 16, 2018, with a state-wide award ceremony that will attract about ten thousand people and which will witness the publication of a book, titled ‘Koseleri’. We will also establish the Ajimobi Foundation for Advanced Democracy, AFAD”.

Responding, the governor expressed appreciation to the CCII for acknowledging the strides of his administration.

Ajimobi said, “You have mentioned many areas where we have done well in governance. I assure you that there is a succession plan that will ensure that we sustain the gale of development and growth in our infrastructure, commerce, education, manpower development and youth employment. The array of governorship aspirants in APC today is rare in any other political party in Oyo State. They are all well-read, intelligent, groomed in the world of business and ready to serve God and the people of Oyo State. God will choose for us among them”.