Religious harmony is my top priority –Oba Ladoja
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa1), has, once again, emphasised the need for religious harmony, in order to have meaningful development.
His statement was contained in a press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, shortly after a courtesy visit paid to the Olubadan by the delegates from Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria at Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, on Wednesday
While receiving the delegates led by the Provost of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Very Rev’d Olusegun Faleye, Oba Ladoja assured them of religious harmony in Ibadanland, as there was no family compound in Ibadan without the adherents of the various religions, particularly African Traditional Religion (ATR), Islam and Christianity.
“Ibadanland is indivisible entity that cannot be divided based on the difference in religious affiliations; instead, we strongly believe that we are of the same blood before making the choice of our different regions,” the monarch asserted.
“Any traditional ruler, including Olubadan of Ibadanland, is the father of all religions; and as such, he has to educate his subjects on the need for peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance, love for one another and do away with religious bigotry, persecution, holy than thou attitude and any form of religious crisis for peace to reign supreme,” he admonished his fellow traditional title holders.
The first-class Oba and chairman of Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs assured all religious faithful to go about their lawful duties without entraining any fear of molestation, intimidation and persecution.
He appreciated Archbishop Joseph Akinfenwa and his delegates for the courtesy visit and gave them royal blessings.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegates, Very Rev’d Faleye, who is the Provost of the Cathedral of St James the great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, delivered a written invitation from Ibadan Diocesan of Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria to the Olubadan of Ibadanland as Royal Father at the opening ceremony of the first session of the 25th Synod tagged The Valedictory Synod of the Diocesan Bishop, having served for 26 years and 40 years of the active service to the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
Very Rev’d Faleye prayed for Oba Ladoja, members of Olubadan-in-Council and Ibadanland at large.
Gracing the occasion were Oba (Sir) Kolawole Adegbola, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland: Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland; Oba Salawudeen Amidu Ajibade, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland: Oba Dauda Abiodun Azees, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland: Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin, the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland; Chief (Mrs.) Bola Doherty, among others.
