We are proud of you, Ibadan Elders tell Ajimobi
Ibadan elders have commended the Oyo State Governor, Senator
Abiola Ajimobi for the restoration of peace in the state and for his
administration’s urban renewal programme, saying that they were proud of him.
The Elders, under the aegis of Ibadan Elders’ Forum, gave the
commendation in a letter dated 30th April, 2013 and addressed the
governor.
In the letter signed by Ambassador Olusola Sanu and Chief Ona
Ajibola, the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum respectively, said that the
commendation was sequel to the decision taken at a meeting of the forum held in
Ibadan on April 18, 2013.
According to them, the commendation had become necessary in
view of the outstanding performance of
the governor and the monumental achievements he had recorded since his
assumption of office two years ago.
They particularly commended the governor for restoring peace,
which they said had served as the foundation of the economic development of the
state.
``Before your assumption of office, Oyo State faced serious
security problems unleashed by armed robbers, political thugs as well as NURTW
factions struggling for ascendancy. You have now changed the violent situation
to a peaceful one.
``You have restored peace and made good use of law
enforcement agencies to ensure same. The notoriety of the NURTW factions has
been checked and by so doing, you have ensured that miscreants are now allowed
in any guise to make Oyo State a haven for their nefarious activities,’’ the
elders noted.
The governor, they also said, had changed the face of the
state through his restoration and transformation agenda.
``Apart from the construction of a flyover at Mokola, you
have rehabilitated/constructed or are rehabilitating/constructing many roads
and bridges across the nooks and crannies of Oyo State. Drains were cleared,
rivers, canals and streams were dredged to prevent flood.
``Much work has been done to improve the environment and
people have been mobilized in various forms to partner with government to make
the environment beautiful, clean and healthy. Positive impacts have been made
in the sectors of health, education, agriculture, manpower development and
skills acquisition.
``Women generally and in particular, widows, able-bodied and
disabled persons were not neglected. Provision of free transport for workers,
regular payment of salaries and the 13th month salary, training and
retraining of personnel also featured. Retirees were not neglected,’’ the said.
According to the elders, Governor Ajimobi’s efforts had given
Ibadan, and indeed, the entire state a facelift, adding ``there is general
cleanliness which all can attest to. You have taken a bold step politically and
you have executed your vision with courage.
``Your political detractors are already exploiting the
situation because they looked at your transformation programmes from a narrow
perspective.
``As for Ibadan Elders’ Forum, we thank you for the
encouraging developments you have embarked upon and for the steps you have
taken to give Ibadan a new image. We note that you are the first governor in
Oyo State that has taken a very spirited efforts to recognize that a clean
environment is a contributory factor attracting foreign investors and ensuring
sustainable economic development.
``We are proud of you for having worked so hard to achieve
enormous results,’’ the elders said, expressing the hope that what the governor
would do in the next two years would surpass what he had done in the first two
years of his administration.
