Oba Rashidi Ladoja: Achieving Ibadan state during my reign is my ultimate goal

Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan-designate, has proclaimed that the establishment of Ibadan State is long overdue, expressing his desire for this goal to be realized during his tenure as monarch.

Receiving visitors at his Bodija residence, Oba Ladoja asserted, “Aside from achieving other things in life, what is left for me is the actualization of Ibadan State. I want this to happen during my reign as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

He emphasized the importance of the state creation, stating, “The creation of Ibadan State is longer overdue. Ibadan, with eleven local government areas, is big enough for a state.”

His remarks come shortly after Rep. Abass Adigun introduced a bill proposing the creation of Ibadan State from the existing Oyo State, with Ibadan designated as its capital. The bill aims to establish 32 local government areas within the proposed new state.

Support for this initiative has rapidly gained traction, with various stakeholders rallying behind the cause. This support was evident at the South West zonal public hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review in Lagos, where community leaders, traditional rulers, and representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) gathered to voice their backing.

At the hearing, Rep. Adigun affirmed, “The new state, if created, has enough human and capital resources to stand and compete with other thriving states in the country.”

He further elaborated that the creation of Ibadan State would significantly impact the region’s socio-economic landscape, allowing the city greater control over its affairs.

“This will promote national development, justice, and federal balance,” he concluded, highlighting the advantages that would come with the new state’s formation.

Source: LEADERSHIP