Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has presented a brand-new Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon 500 to the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barrister Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, as a special birthday gift in recognition of his leadership, commitment to the development of Ibadanland and consistent advocacy for good governance.
The luxury vehicle was presented on behalf of the governor by Chief Babatunde Tijani, popularly known as Double T, who described the gesture as a personal gift from Governor Makinde to celebrate the CCII President-General, whose birthday the governor could not attend.
Speaking during the presentation, Double T explained that the gift was not politically motivated but a demonstration of the governor’s personal appreciation of Ajewole’s leadership qualities, genuine love for the people of Ibadan and unwavering commitment to standing by the truth.
He noted that Governor Makinde had been unavoidably absent during Ajewole’s birthday celebration but had promised to celebrate him in a remarkable way, a promise he said had now been fulfilled with the presentation of the brand-new Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon 500.
In his response, an elated Barrister Ajewole expressed profound appreciation to Governor Makinde for the generous gesture, describing the governor as his benefactor and assuring him of his continued goodwill and prayers.
He stated that he consistently prayed for Governor Makinde, asking God to grant him whatever he genuinely desired for himself.
The CCII President-General also used the occasion to reflect on one of the significant achievements of his tenure, particularly the construction of a befitting palace for the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
According to him, he had made a personal commitment to ensuring that the Olubadan’s palace would be upgraded to a befitting standard during his tenure as President-General of the CCII. He disclosed that he had already constituted a committee to drive the initiative.
Ajewole recalled that during one of his engagements with Governor Makinde, he sought to know the governor’s proposed contribution towards the project, considering that the estimated cost of constructing the befitting palace was over ₦850 million.
He said he was pleasantly surprised when the governor assured him that the palace would be constructed to a befitting standard.
He subsequently commended the Makinde administration for delivering what he described as a historic project that had given Ibadanland a befitting Olubadan palace.
Ajewole noted that the achievement had further enhanced his reputation as CCII President-General, as it would be recorded in history that the construction of the befitting palace was accomplished during his tenure. He added that the accomplishment had also earned him the prestigious traditional title of Aare Atunluse of Ibadanland.
While appreciating Governor Makinde once again for the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon 500, Ajewole reiterated his admiration for the governor, stating that his support for him was borne out of his appreciation of the governor’s contributions to Ibadanland and Oyo State.
He, however, emphasised that the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes remained a non-partisan organisation, stressing that the council was not affiliated with any political party but was primarily committed to the development, unity and progress of Ibadanland.
Also speaking, Hon. Dare Adeleke congratulated Ajewole on the presentation of the luxury vehicle and appreciated Governor Makinde for celebrating the CCII President-General in such a remarkable manner.
He described Ajewole as a man of goodwill who values truth and has consistently demonstrated commitment to the interests of Ibadanland.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, congratulated Ajewole and commended Governor Makinde for the birthday gesture.
Olayiwola, who reflected on his experience working with successive administrations, stated that he had not witnessed a governor perform like Makinde. He also applauded Ajewole’s leadership and praised the governor for providing Ibadanland with a befitting Olubadan palace, which he said could compete with some of the beautiful palaces around the world.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr William Akinfunmilayo, also congratulated the CCII President-General, while commending Governor Makinde for what he described as a positive transformation of politics and governance in Oyo State.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige, popularly known as Ige Again, described Governor Makinde as a major contributor to the welfare and development of the people of Oyo State.
Ige commended Ajewole for maintaining his relationship with the governor and appreciating his administration’s contributions to the state.
He also disclosed that Oyo State had recently received recognition as one of the most improved states in Nigeria, urging residents and stakeholders to continue supporting the state government.
Speaking on behalf of local government chairmen, the Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government and ALGON Chairman in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, praised Governor Makinde for prioritising the welfare of workers and pensioners.
Sanda recalled the period when civil servants frequently protested over unpaid salaries, noting that, since the inception of the Makinde administration, workers had received their salaries as and when due, alongside improved attention to pensioners’ welfare.
He stated that the development had earned the administration appreciation from workers and pensioners, while also expressing optimism about the forthcoming commissioning of the state’s international airport project.
The ALGON Chairman further commended the governor for what he described as efforts to put smiles on the faces of residents through various developmental initiatives.
Meanwhile, Mogaji Wale Ladoja and Mogaji Oladosu Ademola, alongside other Mogajis present, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for the special birthday gift to the CCII President-General.
They acknowledged the governor’s contributions to Ibadanland and Oyo State, assuring him of their continued goodwill and support.
The event attracted several prominent government functionaries, traditional title holders and political stakeholders, including the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle; Hon. Dare Adeleke; Commissioner for Education, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr William Akinfunmilayo; ALGON Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda; Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo, Executive Chairman of Ibadan North-East Local Government; Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government; Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga; Chairman of the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency, Hon. Tosin Alabi; Mogaji Oloko of Oja’Gbo; Mogaji Wale Ladoja; Mogaji Oladosu Ademola; and several other Mogajis.
