Kano State Governor and his wife, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Professor Hafsat Umar Ganjude were, on Saturday, installed as Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II.
The event which was held at the Mapo Hall had in attendance the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Emirs from Kano state and other distinguished personalities.
Olubadan, while speaking, described Ganduje as man of honour and a bridge builder.
Balogun, who acknowledge the cooperation and support of his members of Council since his ascension of the throne last March and also lauded the efforts of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) in ensuring that Ibadan enjoys peaceful reign under his watch.
He said: “On today’s event which is the first of its kind under this dispensation, the likely question to be asked is why Gandujes? And my response is, if not Gandujes, who else could be? As have had cause to say on occasions that Ibadan Chieftaincy titles either traditional or honorary would not be for sale, I must make it clear that the choice of His Excellency and Her Excellency as Aare Fiwajoye and Yeye Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland was not induced financially.
“By the time I spell out the factors that came into play for their choice, you would agree with the choice. I want to put it on record that, but for our brother, Oba Yoruba Kano, Alhaji (Engr.) Muritala Alimi Otisese (Adetimirin-1) mine and the paths of today’s Chiefs might have not crossed. It was this brother of us who is also a ‘shon’ of the shoil’ that introduced Kano first couple to the Palace.
“From the Oba Yoruba Kano, we got to know how detribalized the Kano State Chief Executive is alongside his wife. We were made to know how supportive our guests were to the aspiration and eventual emergence of our brother as Oba Yoruba Kano about two years ago.
“A man of peace, Dr. Ganduje it was who came down to Ibadan when there was a clash between Hausa traders and the people of Sasa at Sasa Market the other time to calm the frayed nerves and peace was restored.
“An alumnus of the University of Ibadan, the new Aare Fiwajoye is currently building an auditorium for the University, a project said to have reached Seventy percent (70%) completion. What is more, if one of Yoruba proverbs that says whoever gives out his/her daughter in marriage has got to the zenith of good deeds (Eni to funni lomo fe ti pari oore) is anything to go by, then the Gandujes, being our in-laws in Ibadan through their daughter that got married to our son, Idris Ajimobi have done it all.
“Let me sum it up with two paragraphs from the letter of recommendation by Oba Yoruba Kano thus: “Bestowing a befitting Chieftaincy title on the hard working and amiable governor with his wife will be a reward for a man who has been compassionate to us as a people and who believes’ that any Nigerian can stay and work in any part of the country without molestation or denial of basic things of life.
“The conferment will not only further cement the bond of friendship that has long existed between the Ibadan and Kano people, it will also go a long way in maintaining handshake across the Niger as well as engender the much sought after unity which has turned fragile over the years”.
Some of the dignitaries present at the programme include; Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, Emir of Rano, Alhaji Jabiru Mohammed, Emir of Karate, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Kano state speaker of the House of Assembly and others.
