The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in addressing lingering ecological challenges affecting several communities in Ibadanland.
The monarch made the appeal in Abuja during a visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume, according to a statement issued on Thursday by his Media Aide, Adeola Oloko.
While acknowledging previous interventions by the Federal Government and the World Bank on the Ogunpa channelisation project, Oba Ladoja noted that attention had largely focused on elite areas such as Mokola, Ekotedo, Oke Ado and Molete. He stressed that other vulnerable communities had been left behind.
“The ecological problems threatening residents of Oranyan, Kudeti, Agbongbon and other parts of the city have not received adequate attention,” the monarch said, adding that “what the people go through during the rainy season is better imagined than told.”
In his response, Dr Akume said he was not surprised by the Olubadan’s visit to Abuja to present the concerns of his people, noting that the monarch’s commitment to their welfare had earned him widespread respect. He assured that the Federal Government would do everything possible to provide the needed assistance.
Oba Ladoja was accompanied by Senators Fatai Buhari (Oyo North) and Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South), among others.
