GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said he accepted in good faith, the chieftaincy title conferred on him and his wife by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, based on the traditional ruler’s objective assessment of his performance as governor in the last two years.

Governor Ajimobi and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi were on Saturday installed as the Aare Atunluse and Yeye Aare Atunluse of Ibadan respectively by the Olubadan, in his palace.

The ceremony, presided over by the traditional ruler and the Olubadan-in-Council, was graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

Others that attended the event included the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande, former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, while the governors of Kano, Niger, Cross River, Plateau and Ogun states were represented.

Governor Ajimobi, while speaking shortly after his formal installation along with his wife and the presentation of certificate, expressed profound appreciation to the Olubadan for deeming it fit to bestow the honour on them.

He described the Olubadan as a highly revered and principled traditional ruler, who would not dole out chieftaincy titles to anybody who did not deserve it, no matter the person’s status in the society.

“We are all very proud of the Olubadan of Ibadanland,’’ the governor said, adding that he had been offered several chieftaincy titles which he had turned down.

“But I have no choice than to accept this honour, coming from the highly revered royal father as the Olubadan. I know that he doesn’t just dole out chieftaincy titles anyhow. He is a man of no mean achievement and he is highly principled. He has done us, the sons and daughters of Ibadanland proud. I am, therefore, very pleased with the titles,’’ he said.

He said that he was particularly pleased, especially as he was being recognised by his kinsmen in Ibadan for his outstanding achievements since he became governor two years ago.

“Ibadan people are very tough. They are not given to frivolities. If they deem it fit to honour you, you should know that you are really worth it,’’ Governor Ajimobi said, thanking the Central Council for Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and the Ibadan Elders’ Forum for their usual support.

He pledged that the honour would further spur him into performing more than before in his quest at transforming and repositioning the state for socio-economic development.

All the Ibadan traditional high chiefs who were present at the occasion took turns to eulogise the governor, who they said had done Ibadan proud through his outstanding performance.

visit www.whatsupibadan.com for more Ibadan news and gist.