The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has promised to establish a foundation that will institutionalise the political and historical strength of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The CCII said the foundation will start its documentation from when it was founded till date for the 69th birthday of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
The CCII, which is the umbrella body for all indigenous socio-cultural societies and clubs of Ibadan at home and in the Diaspora, said the proposed Ajimobi Foundation for Advanced Democracy (AFAD) will also inspire and serve as incubation ground for youths aspiring for political offices.
Its President, Chief Yemi Soladoye, spoke in Ibadan when he visited Ajimobi with executive members of the council and affiliate Oluyole Social Elite.
The club president noted that the council had lined up the activities in recognition of the governor’s achievements.
He said the establishment of the foundation would avert the crisis that might confront future leaders in piloting the affairs of the state to greater development.
Soladoye said: “We have not come here with any shopping list or accusation of marginalisation, threat of militancy or requests for schools, hospitals, pipe borne water or good roads.
“Rather, we have come with our ‘thank you’ list to Senator Ajimobi in particular and the Federal Government.
“We thank the governor for the agricultural revolution, the industrial revolution, secondary school reforms, cheap mass transit buses, youth empowerment programme (YES-O), the Technical University, modernisation of our markets and abattoirs and improved environment, with the Agodi Gardens as an example.
“We thank you for the modernisation of inter-state bus garages, the crisis-free relationship between the three arms of the government, up-scaling of our Customary justice system up to Appeal Court level and the new corporate look of our public servants.
“Furthermore, we thank you very much for the Ibadan circular road, the Ibadan Masterplan, the Ibadan intra-city roads, your significant supports for CCII since 2012, your initiation of a befitting Olubadan palace, security of life and property in Ibadan, the world-class crowning ceremony for our Olubadan in 2016, among many other landmark achievements of your tenure.
“The CCII is putting up a three-phased comprehensive programme to celebrate your birthday on December 16 with a state-wide award ceremony that will attract about 10,000 people and which will witness the publication of a book, titled: Koseleri. We will also establish the Ajimobi Foundation for Advanced Democracy (AFAD).”
Ajimobi expressed appreciation to the CCII for acknowledging the giant strides of his administration.
He said: “You have mentioned many areas where we have done well in governance. I assure you that there is a succession plan that will ensure that we sustain the gale of development and growth in our infrastructure, commerce, education, manpower development and youth employment.
“The array of governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) today is rare in any other political party in Oyo State. They are all well-read, intelligent, groomed in the world of business and ready to serve God and the people of Oyo State. God will choose for us among them.”