The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as significant progress in tackling kidnapping and advancing infrastructure development in Oyo State.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on behalf of members of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said the traditional rulers were at the Presidential Villa to express their appreciation for the administration’s efforts and to wish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continued success.
“We are here today to bring to the President our good tidings. We wish you well. We are very happy with what is happening in Nigeria today. We felt it was important for us to come and say thank you,” the Olubadan said.
Reflecting on the security challenges that once gripped Oyo State, particularly the rise in kidnapping, Oba Ladoja recalled the anxiety among residents when the state experienced one of its first major kidnapping incidents.
He praised the President and security agencies for their response, saying the government’s refusal to pay ransom and its firm stance against kidnappers marked a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against the crime.
“The fact that you did not pay ransom and stood your ground shows that we now have a government that knows what it is doing. We cannot thank you enough for that feat,” he said.
According to the monarch, many residents feared Oyo State could become another hotspot for prolonged kidnapping activities, but the government’s decisive action restored public confidence.
He added that the administration’s approach had sent a strong message that the Federal Government would not negotiate from a position of weakness with criminal elements.
While commending the security successes, the Olubadan urged the President not to withdraw security personnel from the forest areas that previously served as hideouts for kidnappers.
He explained that the forest stretches from Iseyin through Igboho, Kishi and Baruten into Kwara and Niger states, making it a strategic security corridor.
“You have succeeded in flushing out the kidnappers and other criminal elements from the forest, but please let us continue to have the presence of security agencies there so they do not regroup,” he appealed.
The monarch noted that securing the expansive forest reserve would significantly improve the safety of communities across Oyo State and neighbouring states.
On infrastructure, Oba Ladoja lauded the Federal Government for ongoing development projects in Oyo State, stating that the administration is executing about 10 major projects valued at over ₦2 trillion.
He particularly praised the ongoing reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ife Road, describing it as a long-overdue intervention on a highway that has posed challenges for decades.
“I don’t think we have had it this good before. The Ibadan-Ife Road has been a perennial problem, but with the concrete pavement being constructed, we believe you have solved the problem once and for all,” he said.
The Olubadan expressed optimism that the projects would transform transportation across the region and encouraged the President to sustain the pace of development.
He concluded by praying for the President’s continued success and expressing hope that the administration would maintain its focus on security and infrastructure delivery.