The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Thursday led prominent traditional rulers from Oyo State on a commendation visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the successful rescue of teachers and students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The monarchs commended the President and security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of the victims, who spent 56 days in captivity.
Oba Ladoja said the visit was also an opportunity to appreciate the Tinubu administration’s intervention in the rehabilitation of federal roads linking Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State with neighbouring states.
He listed some of the projects to include the proposed dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road, the dualisation of the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Road, which would pass through Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State.
According to him, the completion of the projects would open up several towns and villages along the corridors and boost economic activities across the state.
Ladoja stressed that the benefits of good road infrastructure could not be overemphasised, assuring the Federal Government of the support and cooperation of people at the grassroots to ensure the smooth execution of the projects.
On the recent release of the abducted teachers and students in Oriire, the Olubadan said although the traditional rulers had confidence in the ability of Nigerian security agencies to rescue the victims, there had been concerns about whether the operation would succeed.
He said the successful rescue of the victims was therefore a development worthy of commendation.
“This is why we believe that the efforts of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all stakeholders are commendable,” Ladoja said.
The Olubadan explained that the commendation visit was part of a broader effort by the traditional rulers to appreciate those who contributed to the successful rescue operation.
He disclosed that the royal fathers had initially planned to visit the Oyo State Governor on Wednesday but could not make the visit as scheduled.
The monarch was accompanied to the Presidential Villa by the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola; the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; and the Osi Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Others were the Alajawa of Ajawa, Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji; Aare Ago of Ogbomoso, High Chief S. Otolorin, who represented the Soun of Ogbomoso; and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Abioye Basiru Olalekan, who represented the Okere of Saki.