It was encomiums galore for the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Ibadan on Thursday over what was described as his uncommon and undying love for the oneness of the country at the formal presentation of the letter of appointment to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II as the Chancellor of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Kano State on Thursday.
At the presentation ceremony held at the Alarere residence of the monarch, the Oba of Yoruba Kano, Alhaji Dr. Muritala Otisese presented the letter dated 4th April, 2023 to Oba Balogun in the presence of some of the High Chiefs, Senior Chiefs, Baales and Mogajis as well as the past and current Presidents of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
In the letter personally signed by the Kano State Chief Executive, Dr. Ganduje, the appointment said to have taken effect from the 15th of March this year was said to have been in recognition of Oba Balogun’s competence proven integrity, academic excellence, patriotic disposition as well as the exhibited commitment at uplifting the educational standard of the state.
Reacting to the appointment on behalf of Olubadan, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe thanked the Kano State helmsman for the gesture described as a handshake across the Niger and something so desirable at such a crucial time in the life of the country and maintained that with more of the Kano State Governor innacts and deeds across the country, all the divisive tendencies would vanish into thin sir.
He described the appointment as the beginning of more good things to accompany the reign of Oba Balogun, who is still in the mood of his first year anniversary coronation, noting that when the Kano State Governor was honoured with the honorary Chieftaincy title of Fiwajoye of Ibadanland about a year ago, little did anybody think a seed of glorious occasion like this was being down.
High Chief Adebimpe, who called for more of such stretching of hands of fellowship among the various ethnic and tribal blocs in the country said “we need more of such cooperation, honour and friendship among the various groups of people in the country for sustained peace and stability. One good turn deserves another aptly captures what we are witnessing today. One can only wish our Kabiyesi more years of honour and recognition for our native land.
“Convey our gratitude to His Excellency, Dr. Ganduje for this great honour done Ibadan through our revered father. Only God appoints people into positions of authority and we thank God for counting our Kabiyesi worthy of this unique appointment. I rejoice with him, I rejoice with myself and the entire Ibadan people just as also rejoice the Kano State Governor, the people of Kano and Nigerians as a whole for this kind of important milestone”, High Chief Adebimpe stressed further.
Oba Yoruba Kano, while making the presentation also praised Governor Ganduje for his open-heartedness and strong faith and belief in the oneness of the country. He recalled how the governor bagged Ibadan chieftaincy title of Fiwajoye alongside his wife because of the existing rapport between him and the Yoruba residents in Kano and other non-indigenes.
He said the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education Chancellorship appointment being given to Oba Lekan Balogun was a product of several years of existing relationship between him and the people of Kano. “Not many people would appreciate that what we are witnessing now was the fruit of the seed of love, oneness and comradeship which was down several years ago by the Olubadan. What the Government of Kano State has done is to ensure that the hitherto existing bond does not break.
“His Excellency, Dr. Ganduje has proved himself over the years a detribalized leader, who opens his doors wide to the people without any form of discrimination. This gesture of his earned him the Ibadan chieftaincy title he bagged about a year ago and what we are witnessing today is a further testimony of his openness to all. I congratulate our revered father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland for making another history in Ibadan traditional system having held the epitaph of the most educated Oba to have emerged in Ibadan History'”, he added.
In his remark to thank the government and people of Kano State for the honour done His Imperial Majesty, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Kola Balogun recalled the sojourn of Oba Balogun to the Northern part of the country when he came back from the United Kingdom where he had gone in search of the proverbial golden fleece in the early 1970s.
The Senator, who said the government of Kano State did a great deal of research to know and appreciate the relationship that existed between the late former Governor of the State, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. The University is named after the late wife of the late former governor, Hajia Sa’adatu Rimi.
Dr. Balogun noted that the bond of friendship between the late former governor, his Kaduna State counterpart, late Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the late Alhaji Aminu Kano and other left wing ideologues of that time either in politics or academics was uncommon and this informed the monarch joining the defunct People’s Redemption Party (PRP) founded by the late Aminu Kano when he decided to go into politics.
Recalling the brief stay of Oba Balogun at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria during which he too was with him in the Northern part of the country, he said “the kind of love for one another across the country then is what is being at display now with this appointment by Governor Ganduje. Kabiyesi is very excited about it as it brought into fore the memory of the good old days. By the grace of the Almighty Allah, the confidence reposed in our revered father won’t be a misplaced one.
“I thank the Government and good people of Kano State for this gesture on behalf of His Imperial Majesty, his immediate and extended families and the entire good people of Ibadanland with a prayer that the Almighty Allah would continue to uphold our country-Nigeria in peace”, Sen. Kola Balogun stated further.
