DEBO ADEOYE, IBADAN
The OLUBADAN of IBADANLAND, OBA SALIU ADETUNJI has commended journalists in Oyo State for being objective in their various reports during the recent chieftaincy crisis which pitted some High Chiefs of OLUBADAN-IN-COUNCIL against the palace.
OLUBADAN stated this on Wednesday during the visit of ‘TEAM DEMBAB’ a group routing for a leading Oyo NUJ Chairmanship candidate, ADEMOLA BABALOLA to the palace.
The Monarch said the media showed their objectivity in the reportage of the events, culminating in the recent truce brokered by a former governor of the state, SENATOR RASHIDI LADOJA, in consonance with his OTUN, HIGH CHIEF LEKAN BALOGUN, among others.
The monarch, who gave royal blessings to ‘TEAM DEMBAB’, ahead of December 18, 2019 election, said, “the media roles can neither be quantified nor forgotten in a hurry.”
Recall that the OLUBADAN and his Chiefs were at loggerheads for over two years, following the chieftaincy reform carried out by a former Governor, ABIOLA AJIMOBI, elevating the chiefs and other BAALES in Ibadan to crown-wearing monarchs.
The new Governor, SEYI MAKINDE had recently pledged discontinuation of the appeal on the matter which nullified the processes that led to the coronation of the said chiefs by AJIMOBI administration.
“Many of you showed loyalty to the preservation of Ibadan cultural norms and tradition, and by extension peace and development of this great city of Ibadan in carrying out your assignments while the crisis lasted,” OBA ADETUNJI added.
The first-class monarch, who commended the media, also thanked all sons and daughters for their support for Ibadan chieftaincy system and the uniqueness of IBADAN OBASHIP.
According to him, “the palace will continue to support the media in the state and maintain the cordial relationship with progressive-minded individuals in the state.”
OLUBADAN who appreciated the visit of TEAM DEMBAB to the palace commended the team for recognising the importance of ‘Royal Blessing’ in their bid to take over the affairs of the NUJ in Oyo State from the incumbent. “Let me first and for all welcome you to the palace. I am happy that you didn’t underrate the power of the palace. You have done well. I also want to thank you for the love you have shown me and the palace during the time of crisis in the Olubadan chieftaincy crisis,” KABIYESI stated
“You upheld the ethics of your profession. You stood by the palace, and we appreciate it. As you are going on your campaign, may God continue to go with you,” the monarch prayed.
In his response at the palace, the Chairmanship candidate in the coming Oyo NUJ election, ADEMOLA BABALOLA commended the monarch for his fatherly role in the ancient city and stated the purpose of his team’s visit to the palace.
“Kabiyesi, we are here, in the palace to receive royal blessing. I felt the union should be salvaged and repositioned to be true havens for practising journalists, that’s what necessitated our decision to take over from the outgoing executive of the Union,” BABALOLA stated.
