*As Makinde Govt Blasts Opposition APC Over ‘Politics Of Misinformation’
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1), has called for unity, love and mutual understanding among traditional rulers in Yorubaland, in particular, and Nigeria as a whole.
The call was made during the 2026 Agidanyin Founder’s Day Festival Celebration at Erinmo-Ijesa in Osun State at the weekend, where Oba Ladoja attended as the Grand Royal Father of the day and the Special Guest of Honour.
Oba Ladoja further reminded traditional rulers to see themselves as the custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition, adding that they should do all in their powers to promote and preserve Yoruba traditional and cultural values to prevent the cultural values from going into extinction.
The former Senator, ex-governor of Oyo State, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland and the current Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, commended the Elerinmo of Erinmo, Oba (Dr.) Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya ll, for the unprecedented achievements recorded within the short period of his reign, adding that traditional rulers should emulate and replicate his laudable achievements.
Earlier in his welcome address, Elerinmo said this year’s Agidanyin celebration featured several activities that reflected the richness of Erinmo cultural heritage, including the traditional meat feast, annual Iwure led by Araba, Baba Yemi Elebuibon, royal prayers, Arowotawaya Recognition Awards, traditional homage and other colorful cultural displays.
According to Elerinmo-Ijesa, the history of Erinmo-Ijesa was deeply rooted and connected to Ooni Obalufon Alayemore who was traditionally associated with the founding of Erinmo around 110 AD.
Agidanyin, according to the Elerinmo, was remembered as the warrior son of Obalufon Alayemore and the first king of Erinmo, occupied a special place in the ancestral history of Erinmo-Ijesa and should be seen as cultural asset with enormous potential for tourism, economic development, employment generation and international cultural heritage.
Oba Ajayi sought the support of the Federal and Osun State governments in facilitating the process towards securing UNESCO cultural heritage recognition for the Agidanyin Festival.
The celebrant said there was a need for constitutional recognition and more clearly-defined role for traditional rulers in Nigeria.
“My vision is to see an Erinmo where our cultural heritage is preserved, our youths are empowered, our children have access to quality education, our people enjoy economic opportunities and our traditional values continue to command respect,” the monarch concluded.
Oba Ajayi appreciated the presence of Oba Ladoja; and the Special Guest of Honour, Owa Obokun, the Grand Royal Host.
Agodi Fish Farm: State Govt Blasts Opposition APC Over ‘Politics Of Misinformation’
In an earlier development, Oyo State government has declared the stand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the state-owned Agodi Fish Farm as “politics of misinformation.”
The government spoke in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Oyo State, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
Dr. Olanrewaju said: “The tragedy of today’s Oyo APC is not merely that it lacks answers to the real challenges facing our state; it is that it has become increasingly dependent on manufacturing falsehood.
“Its latest claim regarding an alleged plan by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde to sell or cede the Agodi Government Fish Farm is yet another reckless tale, unsupported by facts, evidence, or any official record.”
The opposition had alleged during the week that the state government wanted to sell the Fish Farm located at Dandaruu area of Agodi, Ibadan, before its tenure expiration next year.
But the government viewed this as erroneous.
“Rather than engage the people of Oyo State with ideas, policies, and alternatives, the opposition has, once again, chosen the familiar path of speculation, misinformation, and political theatre.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no plan by the Oyo State government to sell, cede, or otherwise transfer the Agodi Government Fish Farm to any private developer.
“The allegation exists only in the imagination of those who appear more interested in generating headlines than engaging in honest public discourse.
“Ordinarily, such a baseless claim would not merit a response. However, given the deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary anxiety, it has become necessary to place the facts on record.
“The Oyo APC’s statement is built entirely on conjecture. Nowhere did it provide any document, directive, policy decision, Executive Council resolution, or official communication to support its sensational allegation. Instead, it relied on rumours, assumptions, and inflammatory rhetoric in a desperate attempt to manufacture a crisis where none exists.
“It is ironic that a party whose years in government were characterised by abandoned projects, institutional decline, inadequate infrastructure and economic stagnation now seeks to portray itself as the guardian of public assets.
“The people of Oyo State have not forgotten the condition in which many public institutions and government facilities were left before the advent of the current administration in 2019.
“Since assuming office, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the development of Oyo State through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic expansion. The administration has consistently pursued policies aimed at preserving, strengthening and optimising public assets for the collective good of the people.
“The opposition’s attempt to portray every development initiative as a scheme to appropriate public property only underscores its inability to distinguish between strategic development and the negligence that defined previous administrations,” Olanrewaju stated.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Oba Ladoja.
