The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has made it clear that land grabbers undermining the dignity of Ibadan should prepare for tough times ahead.
Oba Ladoja expressed these sentiments during the inauguration of a five-member committee of legal experts dedicated to tackling the issue of land grabbing through legal means at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
The committee includes Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), Barrister Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), Yinka Okunade, Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem, and Tunji Thomas, though Barrister Adetunbi was notably absent during the ceremony.
The monarch instructed the committee to bring in professionals from various sectors, such as town planning, surveying, and law enforcement, to ensure they possess the necessary authority to address the problem of land grabbing effectively.
Accompanied by fellow members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Oba Ladoja emphasized that both the Oyo State Government and the Olubadan-in-Council stand united against the challenges posed by land grabbing.
“Land grabbing is akin to a complex web involving various interests that must be carefully unraveled,” he stated.
While addressing the members of the committee, he remarked, “I have confidence in your abilities to fulfill this important obligation, despite the seriousness of the task ahead.”
He mandated the committee to commence their efforts immediately, giving them a deadline of 21 days to present their findings. This was clarified as a step to reinforce the existing land matters committee led by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori.
In support of this initiative, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, noted the critical need for strong measures against land grabbing, which has continually put residents at risk.
“If possible, we should push for the creation of anti-land grabbing tribunals across all eleven local government areas in Ibadanland,” he suggested.
On behalf of the committee, Chief Niyi Akintola thanked the Olubadan and the Olubadan-in-Council for their confidence in them, viewing the inauguration as a call to duty, and called for the collaboration of the Oyo State Government and the residents of Ibadan to address land grabbing concerns.
“The Oyo State Government is not supportive of land grabbing, and this anti- land grabbing advisory committee will bolster the government’s commitment to combat this issue,” Akintola explained.
The inauguration was attended by notable members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including 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; Asipa Olubadan- Designate, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Akeem Adewoyin; and Ekerin Olubadan-Designate, Oba Adebayo Akande. Additionally, the gathering included Bobajiro of Ibadanland, former Oyo State Head of Service Chief Tajudeen Aremu, and Professor Soji Adejumo, Ajiroba.
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