The President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr. ‘Niyi Ajewole, has on behalf of the entire sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ibadan welcome Bayo Adelabu, Minister of Power back home in a warmly welcome reception held at the Asiwaju Bode Amoo Hall at the famous Ibadan House in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
Ajewole who in his presidential speech eulogized the former CBN Deputy Governor and a renowned financial guru and expressed how delightful Ibadan was upon his appointment as Minister, and a full one.
The PG further task the Ibadan-born politician to bring desirable development that Ibadan is merited from the national level.
“It is with great honour and joy in my heart that I welcome you all to Ibadan House. We are here to host one of our own, the newly appointed Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.”
“I am using this medium to specially congratulate one of CCII’s constituent clubs, Jericho Businessmen Club (JBC) as your valuable member is now a member of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria. It would be recalled that this is the second time that a JBC member would be bringing such honour to CCII as Mr Remi Babalola was also appointed as Mininster of State for Finance.”
“On behalf of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, we specially appreciate His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for considering an Ibadan son and one of our dependable technocrats as a member of his cabinet. I also deeply appreciate the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde for supporting the nomination of Chief Adebayo Adelabu as the Minister that will represent our dear state. “
“On behalf of the entire membership of the CCII, it is with great joy that I welcome you, Honorable Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to this august gathering in the month of August. Your visit to us today is done in the spirit of comradeship and camaraderie. It is a homecoming of sort. For this, permit me to acknowledge our father, Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, for his role in making this courtesy visit a reality. Thank you, sir.”
“As we all know, power is critical for any meaningful economic renewal or development of any country in the world. it is our prayer that just as Chief Adelabu has excelled in every position he has held in the past, he would also excel in this special assignment of revamping the power sector for our country.”
“Chief Adebayo Adelabu is no doubt one of the most talked-about politicians and technocrats in Nigeria today. Providence has placed an all-important assignment in his hands. Chief Bayo Adelabu is not just an illustrious son of Ibadan. He is someone whose ‘needle has a long thread’. We all remembered or have heard of the impacts and achievements of his grandfather, Late Adelabu Adegoke (Penkelemesi) in the politics of Ibadan, Western Region and Nigeria at large. As Yoruba will say “Omo kii ba ipele iya re ko si aso da”. The family genes of greatness and uniqueness are also noticeable in the incumbent Minister of Power. Just like his grandfather, Chief Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi whose unique politics and brilliance earned him praises even from opposition members, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has shown maturity, deftness and uniqueness in Oyo State politics.”
“As a first class graduate of Accountancy from the University of Ife, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), a sterling performer in banking Industry (as an Executive Director/Chief Finance Officer of First Bank of Nigeria), a diversified entrepreneur of note and former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), we have no doubt that you are going to excel in your new national assignment and represent us well. May the Lord, God Almighty be with you.
“As the elders say, “Arishe ni arika…”, Chief Bayo Adelabu has contributed immensely to the cause of JBC and CCII over a period of time. He is someone who is passionate about community development and has used his vast resources to bring about human and capital development to Ibadan. Our Honourable Minister has made generous donations just as he has facilitated enduring institutions to Ibadan and Oyo state in general. However, there is also great wisdom in saying that “ti ina ko ba tan l’aso, eje ko ki n tan l’ekanna.”
“While acknowledging and appreciating your past moral, material and financial support to CCII and Ibadanland in the past, I want to humbly request your support in the following areas: (i). Creation of job for our youths (ii) Empowerment of our Indigenes (iii) Financial and material support towards the completion of Olubadan Palace on or before December 2023 (iv) Support and presence at CCII activities (v). Assisting the vision of Oyo State Government in becoming the first State in the Country to achieve the feat of uninterrupted power supply (vi) Provision of an official car to the office of CCII President General.”
“At this juncture, I want to seize this opportunity to inform the Honourable Minister that the Inauguration Ceremony of CCII Executive (2023-2025) has been slated for Saturday, 2nd September, 2023. We would like our Honourable Minister to honour us with his distinguished presence.”
“While we would continue to pray for you to excel in your present assignment as the Minister for Power, we want to call on you to join hands with the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde for the progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general. This is a critical time for us as a people in our resolve to achieve sustainable development through the collaboration of brilliant minds.” Ajewole concluded.
CCII, ‘Niyi Ajewole, Ibadan, Bode Amoo, Bayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria, Oyo State, Energy, Gas
