By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja. The traditional rulers used the occasion to harp on religious harmony.
His Imperial Majesty Oba (Senator) Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1), during the visit, disclosed that the Sultan of Sokoto believes in religious tolerance, harmony, unity and peaceful co-existence of all religious adherents.
These were contained in a press release issued and signed by Olubadan’s Chief Press Secretary, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, on Tuesday.
“His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, a military officer, a diplomat, a religious leader and the National President of Nigeria Traditional Council, is a good friend and a brother who was groomed and tutored in Ibadan as a leader,” Oba Ladoja said.
Describing the Sultan as a detribalized religious and traditional ruler, he added that if all religious leaders emulated his religious tolerance, there would not be religious war in Nigeria.
“While acknowledging the prayers of Sultan that God would endow him with longevity of life in the service of God and humanity, the monarch appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto, who is the present Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, for making the first Ibadan indigene the Vice Chancellor of the university in person of Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, since the establishment of the institution in 1948,” the statement read.
Earlier in his speech, Alhaji Abubakar disclosed that he was at the palace with his encourage, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country, to pay the Olubadan of Ibadanland a courtesy visit.
According to the Sultan, “we are here on solidarity visit to our chief landlord, not only to express our gratitude for giving us the land on which the university was built, but also providing us with the enabling environment.”
He assured Oba Ladoja that the university would be consulting him from time to time for his support whenever the need arose.
The occasion was graced by eminent personalities, including the management staff of the University of Ibadan, traditional rulers; president of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, among others.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Sultan Abubakar (3rd right), Oba Ladoja (c) and others after the visit.
