Stop selling ancestral lands arbitrarily - Olubadan warns chiefs

The current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has cautioned Mogajis (compound heads) against the unauthorized sale of ancestral lands. Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, delivered this warning during the installation ceremony of five new Mogajis and four Baales at the Olubadan palace on Monday. The newly appointed Mogajis include Engineer Adedayo Ajagunna (Ajagunna compound), Alafara Oje Area, Wasiu Olapade Alabi (Areja compound), Alhaji Kazeem Alarape (Raji Ojongbodu compound), and Alhaji Adamo Lekan Bello (Asunmo compound).

The four new Baales are Mr Gbadamosi Kabiru (Kehinsi village), Mr Oguntayo Ademola (Oguntayo village), Mr Sakirudeen Yekini Adegbenjo (Olode village), and Mr Olalekan Gbenga Ogundipe (Akintola Ogbun village).

Addressing the gathering, Ladoja strongly cautioned all Ibadan traditional title holders against the arbitrary sale of ancestral lands and properties. He emphasized that they serve as representatives of the Olubadan in their respective communities. Speaking through the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Ladoja clarified that the traditional title holders were installed to serve their communities, not to exploit them.

He stated, "If your forefathers had sold the land, what would you inherit? Your ancestral lands is meant for developmental projects and not for sale."

Ladoja further reminded the newly installed chiefs that wherever they may be, they must consider themselves as the authorized representatives of the Olubadan. He urged them to maintain a positive image of the Olubadan and Ibadanland. The traditional ruler concluded by urging them to shun any actions that might tarnish the good reputation of the Olubadan and Ibadanland.