Land grabs, which hitherto were a menace in Ibadan, have been reduced significantly during the first year of Oba Lekan Balogun’s ascension to the Olubadan throne. The organising committee of the first anniversary of the monarch’s coronation, led by Oladapo Afolabi, disclosed on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Mr Afolabi said, “This has been acknowledged in the area of war against land-grabbing and disputes arising from the selling of a particular land to multiple persons. The intervention of Olubadan has gradually nipped the activities of the land-grabbers in the bud.”

Recounting some activities of Mr Balogun during the period under review, the committee said the reduction in the activities of hoodlums “cannot be divorced from the proactiveness of the traditional compound heads known as ‘mogajis’, who are constantly reminded by the Olubadan to watch over their compounds.”

He explained that the ‘mogajis’ also met the jobless’ needs.

The committee said Mr Balogun brought honour to Ibadan as the first Olubadan in history to become a chancellor after being appointed by the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kano.

It added that the Ibadan monarch became the second Olubadan to receive the national honour of Commander of the Order of Federal Republic (CFR).

“In addition, the recent elevation of the members of Olubadan Advisory Council, hitherto addressed as High Chiefs, to beaded crown-wearing Obas as Royal Majesties was another of Kabiyesi’s firsts in Ibadan history.

“Today, under his watch, the Ibadan traditional system is now composed of Obas,” the committee explained.

It appealed to Ibadan indigenes, both at home and in the diaspora, who have the wherewithal to come up with concerted efforts towards reducing the unemployment rate in Ibadan.

The committee disclosed that the other programmes lined up for the coronation anniversary included a symposium titled ‘Ibadan, Treasure of the last Empire and the Challenges of Urban Development’ on Thursday.

Aderemi Raji-Oyelade will deliver the lecture, after which a compendium will be launched specially packaged for the anniversary. The committee also announced that there would be conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on three Ibadan indigenes on Friday.

(NAN)