The 2015 edition of the Adegoke Adelabu Memorial Lecture organised by the Ibadan Foundation, was held in Ibadan on Thursday with the Chairman of Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Dr. Lekan Are, and a former Oyo State governor, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, extolling the virtues of the late politician, who died in 1958 at the age of 43.
Among the guests at the event are the President of the foundation, Chief Bayo Alugbin, a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Basorun J.K. Randle, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, High Chief Bayo Akande and his wife, Onikepo, while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, was represented by the Ekerin Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola.
Olunloyo, who delivered a lecture with the theme, ‘Adelabu centenary: Whither Ibadan politics?’, recalled that the city stood out among other Yoruba towns in the 19th century because of its unique governance system and strong economic base.
He added that the qualities would still be the city’s strength even if it later evolved into a state in the future.
He however warned that, “The demographic structure of Ibadan may take unexpected turn in the very near future. The early settlers of Ibadan may sooner than later be in a minority. It may get worse with the creation of an Ibadan State, especially excluding the seven Ibarapas, Oke-Ogun, Afijio etc. The sure stamp of Adegoke Adelabu may lose its lustre with time if boundaries are carved carelessly.”
Making reference to the ‘elitist’ nature of the old Action Group and the ‘mass party’ nature of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, both under the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the former governor opined that, “the future and direction of Ibadan politics therefore impinges on whether Ibadan tends to be elitist or conservative.”
In his contribution to the discussion, Randle said Ibadan people should be proud that there was no succession tussle to the kingship throne and that unlike in Lagos where claim of ‘no man’s land’ resurfaced frequently, “Ibadan people are familiar with their history and family line.”
The former ICAN boss reminded the people that Ibadan had a special role to play in healing the nations of its many wounds
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