President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, held a closed door meeting with the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona inside the monarch’s Ijebu-Ode palace for about 20 minutes .
Buhari who arrived in the state at about 6:15pm, flew into the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode in a chopper, arrived Awujale palace to commence a two-day official visit to the state.
The 20-minute closed door meeting had in attendance Governor Ibikunle Amosun .
Though, the content of the meeting was not made public, a source from the palace told Vanguard that, the monarch begged the President to facilitate the creation of Ijebu State.
After his closed-door meeting with the Awujale , which lasted about 20 minutes, Buhari was hosted to a banquet where he briefly addressed eminent personalities and monarchs in Ijebuland.
He said that he would be meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo later last night.
Buhari who was received at the stadium by Governor Amosun and state officials was immediately driven into the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
During his official visit to Ogun which is part of the activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the state, Buhari who was expected to inaugurate about 40 projects located across the three senatorial districts of the state, however had to shelve the ones slated for Ijebu-Ode.
The President who was expected to kick off his activities in Ijebu-Ode with the inauguration of the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona and Mobalufon Flyovers as well as the expanded and reconstructed Ejirin Road however had to cancel the activities due to time constraint.
But Buhari apologized for his lateness in coming, noting that he was held up in a meeting with diplomats in Abuja.
The president noted that as a matter of courtesy, he felt it would be unwise to visit the state without paying a visit to the paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
He however disclosed that he would be holding a meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta later last night.
In his remarks, the Awujale described Buhari’s visit as “homecoming” and prayed for the success of his administration.
Oba Adetona, who praised the president for his visionary leadership, endorsed his fight against corruption.
“If we don’t face corruption, corruption will kill us. And we don’t want corruption to kill us. So, Nigerians must support your efforts,” the revered monarch added.
Buhari immediately left the Awujale’s palace in company with Governor Amosun travelling by road from Ijebu-Ode to Abeokuta.
Prominent dignitaries who gathered at the palace of the Awujale to receive President Buhari included the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; All Progressives Congress National Vice Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni; Oba Otudeko, Otunba Mike Adenuga, Senator Gbenga Kaka; Chief Judge of Ogun, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade and Olorogun Sunny Kuku.
Others were incumbent senators Lanre Tejuoso, Gbolahan Dada and Buruji Kashamu; Senator Lekan Mustapha, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Alhaji Agboola Alausa, Vice Chancellor of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Yemisi Obilade; Vice Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Adejimi Saburi Adesanya, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, Biodun Sobanjo, Chief Kessington Adebutu and Otunba Subomi Balogun.
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