Ibadan ,the second largest city in Africa has over the years played the role of being the Nigerian Southwest political headquarters.
It is known as the land of the warriors, which emerged the base for assembly of the powerful warriors of the old ages.
It was therefore not surprising seeing Ibadan, play the headquarters of happenings , especially,the political movements of the first,second and third Republic.
The ancient city with the big population and land mass
thus served as where the grip coordination held, for successive governments,not leaving out the era military 🪖 incursions.
Reference to Ibadan, being the base for most activities during the late sage and foremost political leader in Yorubaland nay the entire Nigeria,Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.Ibadan has continued to maintain the balance and laurel till date.
Though Late Awolowo an Ikenne man from Ogun state ,the most honoured Yoruba leader till date ,operated majorly in Ibadan during the hey 👋 days ,likewise other prominent leaders that have played one pivotal role in the history of Nigeria .
Mention must be made of Late Chief Adisa Akinloye,Late Chief Adelabu “Penkelemesi”,Late Chief Eruobodo , Late Chief Lamidi Adedibu and others,who have all played strong roles in moulding political strength in Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole ,lending credence to historical relevance of Ibadan to Nigeria political stability.
However ,there came a prodigious gift,though not necessarily a partisan politician,who saw and conquered,a man who chose not to partake in partisan politics,but chose to influence the emergence of successive good governments into *power,Late* *Alhaji* *Arisekola* *Also,the* once Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland ,a discreet philanthropist coordinated the leadership in Ibadanland for decades before his exit.
Arisekola Alao,whose memories again came up on February 14th, his birthday,the man who was the Central figure that glorified Ibadans pride of place in history,while he lived.
The weighty influence and positive contributions of “Aare” as fondly called ,to many spheres dominated the atmosphere,such that he served as the determining force for where the political pendulum swang while he lived on earth.
Arisekola was seen as the *de* *facto* *leader,where* final decisions on issues of importance were decided.His palacial Basorun and Bodija home became the mecca of sorts and arena, where Ibadan activities were coordinated and where knotty issues and differences were resolved.
Prominent and recognized leaders from all extractions,be it traditional ,religious or political waited and curry his favour on internal matters,before pronouncements were made.
All these ,Late Arisekola did marvellously ,using his wealth to navigate interests of all satisfactory.
Therefore ,he commanded the respect of being the final arbiter and apex coordination unit throughout his existence .
His exit therefore quickly created the vacuum that till date remains unfilled. Today,one can say that everyone has returned to its tent ,making comsensus decisions and taking steps such herculian one for Ibadan as a whole.
Without recourse to whose ox is gored,Ibadan could not again present a Central front on issues as was the case in those days .
Certainly,the vacuum created by Alhaji Arisekola Alao became significantly noticed until recently when the *Jagun* *Olubadan* of *Ibadanland,Chief* *Engr* *(Dr.)* *Dotun* *Sanusi*, courageously took up the gauntlet and started playing the roles,once missed following Arisekola’s exit.
Though Dotun Sanusi was not ready to become an official leader of whatever kind in Ibadan nor Oyo state but his activities keep placing him as the man filling the vacuum created by Arisekola’s exit.
Right from his choice as the Mogaji of Olugbade family compound, Dotun Sanusi has elevated the image of Ibadan Mogajis to that enviable status,he has promoted the ideals and position of Mogajis in the traditional institution.
Likewise Dotun Sanusi has taken all issues of Ibadanland as important and gives adequate attention and support ,with his wealth and resources.
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII),the apex body coordinating socio- cultural activities in Ibadan has openly and secretly acknowledged the important roles being played by Mogaji Dotun Sanusi in the overall development of Ibadanland and her Indigenes.
Dotun Sanusi has not limited his positive contributions to socio economic and political space in Ibadanland alone,but extends such to other areas of Oyo state and Nigeria.
His establishment of ILAJI Hotels and Resorts’,the best hospitality base in Nigeria has invariably attracted other advantages to the Akanran base in Ibadan, such that he was found appropriate as the *Asiwaju* of *Ona* *Ara LG ,where the hospitality industry was established,as* he was recently installed.
Dotun Sanusi’s contributions to entertainment, sports,economy, politics and infrastructure have continued to move astronomically high up on the ladder ,such that everyone unconsciously begins to see him in the realm of *Central* *leader* to be *unconsciously* saddled.
The coordinating leadership is not that ,which is openly pronounced,no !!!,it is not,it has never been .
There was no time in history that the Late Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao was installed as one, and as such Chief Dotun Sanusi does not need be so pronounced .
However,the stark reality is that Dotun Sanusi has unwittingly emerged that man ,who everyone now looks up to, for direction on all issues in Ibadanland,due to his unwavering commitment to Ibadan Agenda.
He has, without considering the huge financial requirements,taken up significant responsibilities on behalf of the entire Ibadanland and executed such to the admiration of all .
Sanusi’s deliberate efforts in the area of adequate security cannot be overemphasized.
He has established cordial relationships with all strata of security arms and units ,such that level of crime was curtailed and reduced to the barest minimum in his domain and other places.
Asiwaju Jubril Dotun Sanusi has unconsciously taken upon himself the happiness and well being of an Ibadan man his serious concern.
He has placed the development of Ibadan as one of his topmost priorities, he sees his hard earned resources as that ,which should be deployed to bring development to Ibadanland and her people and as such, the people see in him that rare qualities that worth their undivided loyalty, trust and followership at all times
Chief Dotun Sanusi in his well cultured and high moral upbringing has exhibited the amazingly humble disposition to all elders and leaders in Ibadanland.
He has continued to reverr and respect the personalities and institutions despite the God’s blessings in his care .
Ibadan is once again proud and lucky to have such an enigma after years of vacuum , left by Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao,the Ibadan born billionaire, who deployed his wealth to impact severally and now as publicly attested by one of the most versatile Mogajis in Ibadanland, Alhaji Abass Oloko, who stated with emphasy that Ibadan again is blessed with another rallying point , a coordinating unit in ILAJI Hotels and Sports Resorts Chief Executive Officer, where sons and Daughters of Ibadan rally for consensus direction .
To Chief Dotun Sanusi,we can only wish him God’s wisdom and more resources to sustain this unwitting leadership that the invincible will of providence has placed in his care 💅.
Alhaji Waheed Ajao Adurodekun,a prominent Ibadan leader of note writes on the post humous birthday,Feb 14th of Late Arisekola Alao.
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