A professor of History, Prof. Wale
Oyemakin, has urged Ibadan elders and indigenes of the Oyo State capital
in general to ensure that the excellence associated with the city is
sustained.
Oyemakin spoke at the Annual Ibadan
Festival Conference, organised by the Jericho Businessmen Club on behalf
the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.
The event was part of the Ibadan Festival.
Head of the Aboderin family in Ibadan,
Mogaji Olutunde Aboderin; President of JBC, Bayo Olugbemi;
Ppresident-General of the CCII, Chief Bayo Oyero; Chief Finance Officer,
Oando Energy Services Limited, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke; founding
president of JBC, Sikiru Soladoye; members of JBC and other guests were
at the event, presided over by Chief Oladiti Oladipo.
Oyemakin, who was the guest speaker,
said that Ibadan had over the years played host to scholars and
scientists, who through their work and publications had beamed the light
of success on the city.
While listing the city’s feats, Oyemakin
said Ibadan was home to the first television station in Africa, the
first teaching hospital in the country, the first university and other
reputable institutions.
He said, “That which crowned the
confirmation of Ibadan leadership position in Yorubaland in particular
and Nigeria in general was the establishment of University College,
Ibadan in 1948. It gained autonomy in 1962 to become University of
Ibadan and has since blossomed into veritable citadel of learning that
commanded respect in the Commonwealth and the world at large.
“Outside the university system, there
can be no doubt that the issue in Nigerian politics from time immemorial
has remained the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. There can be no doubt that
the one and only issue (Awolowo) was incubated here at Ibadan. Since
ideas rule the world and progressive ideas rule fine, Ibadan’s
formidable reputation as Nigeria’s fountain of ideas and knowledge
should be kept flourishing for the illumination of mankind.”
Chairman of the occasion, Oladipo, said
that all efforts must be made to preserve the dignity of the city for
the sake of the coming generations.
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