Eid-el-Kabir: Security challenges temporary, government working hard —Olubadan Ladoja
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, has assured Nigerians that governments at all levels, alongside security agencies, are making serious efforts to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
Speaking during the Ileya celebration at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, on Wednesday, the monarch said the security situation required collective efforts from the Federal Government, state governments, and even the international community.
According to the revered traditional ruler, security operations could not be fully disclosed to the public, because of the sensitive nature of the issues involved, especially in the age of social media.
He noted that many criminal activities were often linked to information obtained through social media platforms, where unsuspecting individuals exposed personal details that later made them targets.
The Olubadan expressed confidence in the efforts of security agencies, saying they had assured Nigerians that the situation would improve soon.
Speaking on political aspirants allegedly using his name to advance their ambitions, Oba Ladoja said all aspirants were like his children and had the right to associate with him, if they were genuinely close to him.
He explained that while politicians might use his name for identification or support, what would ultimately determine their success was the quality of their programmes and acceptance by the people.
The monarch added that political activities were gradually reaching conclusion as party candidates were expected to emerge before the end of May.
On the issue of land rights and encroachment, the Olubadan clarified that migrants and settlers had rights within the provisions of the law, but insisted that such rights did not include unlawful claims or illegal selling of land.
He frowned at situations where individuals rely on old historical claims to justify ownership of lands that are currently under dispute, stressing that many of such matters remained unresolved after decades.
Oba Ladoja disclosed that several communities in and around Ibadan were currently facing land encroachment issues, involving not only family lineages, but also private individuals presenting conflicting documents of ownership.
The monarch, however, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to resolve the disputes peacefully and in line with the law, while urging anyone with grievances against individuals or groups involved to channel their complaints appropriately.
