The Olubadan of Ibadan land, his royal majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ex-Oyo deputy governor Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Ex-Oyo first lady, Kemi Alao-Akala, newly elected Ibarapa East Lawmaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, many other prominent and astute politicians all graced the 10 years remembrance ceremony of late aristocratic power broker in Oyo state, High chief Lamidi Ariyibi Akanji Adedibu.
His Rroyal majesty, Oba Saliu Adetuji, the Olubadan of Ibadan land
The event which took place on Tuesday, June 12 at Adedibu residence in Ibadan witnessed the presence of thousands of people from Oyo state.
During the ceremony, a lot of people testified that the late Chief Adedibu was a generous giver, a mediator, a philanthropist whose legacy still speaks after 10 years.
A grass root politician, honourable member representing Ibadan South-East Constituency II in the Oyo state house of Assembly, Hon. Ademola Akeem Ige described late Adedibu as a pillar of politics in the whole southwest whose legacy still lingers on. He said ‘‘Baba was a great philanthropist per excellence and the problem is that, after his demise, things has not been the same. Everybody wants to rule, there is no orderliness.’’
The Ex-Oyo state deputy governor, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja while speaking with CEOAfrica correspondent at the event said ‘‘ today’s event was really great and I can describe the late Icon as a great and complete leader, we are yet to see that person who will feel that vacuum he has left behind.’’
Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, Ex-Oyo State Deputy Governor
In the same development, the wife of a former governor of Oyo state, Chief Mrs Kemi Alao -Akala also referred to late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu as a great man, whom a lot of people didn’t understand because he was all about people and not himself. ‘‘We miss him because politics is not the same without Baba, but we are happy because he lived a good life and that is why we are here to celebrate him. People like Baba Adedibu are like one in hundred years, that is why we haven’t found anybody to replace him,’’ she said.
Also, the president of dynamic international of women organization. Chief Mrs Bolajoko Dorati, while fielding questions from our correspondent said ‘‘today’s event was wonderful, when Baba was alive, this place was always bubbling and thank God after his demise, his household is still there, this means his legacy is speaking. It is so sad that, we haven’t seen someone to feel the gap he left, that is why we have crisis in Oyo state here and there.’’
Chief Mrs Kemi Alao Akala
The newly elected Ibarapa East Lawmaker, Adebo Ohundoyin, who was also present at the event said ‘‘he was a great a great man, a great leader who directed PDP successfully during the prime period of the party and you can see that after his demise, the party went down a bit, but we thank God for other leaders like Senator Rasheed Ladoja, who has come to lift the party up, we thank God for where we are now, we are here to remember a very great man and legend to all in PDP. One of his quality was that, he carried everyone along, this is what every other politician should do, because he was a different man and before anyone can feel the shoes he left behind, it will take a long period of time.’’
Hon Adebo Ohundoyin
Other prominent personalities who graced the occasion were: Mogaji of Ibadanland, Alhaja Mutiyat Oladoja, representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, politicians, friends and families.
