…From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan…
The Centenary Birthday Anniversary plans for the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, have been unfolded in Ibadan by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the umbrella body for all the socio-cultural groups in Ibadanland.
The celebration comes up on April 14, 2014.
The CCII national President, Chief Bayo Oyero, in a chat with journalists during the one-day retreat organized for the executive members of the organization at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, said that “the grand success of the 99th Birthday anniversary celebration of the highly revered monarch has motivated the CCII to commence, in earnest, preparations for the celebration of the Centenary which comes up in the next four months, by the special grace of God.”
“”We have started planning for the memorable occasion, and we pray that he live to 100 and beyond by God’s grace,” Oyero told newsmen.
According to the CCII President, “the organization is now, more than ever before, involved in community issues affecting Ibadan generally as reflected in our participation in the last 99th birthday celebration of our highly revered monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
While also expressing delight over the success of the Ibadan annual Festival which was recently concluded, Chief Oyero explained that, as a Community Based Organization (CBO), the need for CCII to increase its financial base had arisen as a result of the expansion of its challenges including staff increase, asset management, welfare of members and other exigency.
He remarked that till date, the only source through which the CCII generates fund to meet its financial obligations had been through the annual celebration of Ibadan Festival, but, which had become grossly inadequate, hence the retreat which is aimed at charting the way forward for the organization.
Chief Oyero highlighted the aims of the retreat among which is to review how far the CCII has gone in achieving what it set out through the inaugural one when some new ideas came into focus.
The CCII President said: “We had a focus, manifesto to guide us and we are conscious of the need to achieve results to meet the expectations of the generality of our members. In this direction, within our short period of time, we have established library to assist and encourage the young ones educationally.
“We have also improved on the physical environment of Ibadan House, the Secretariat of the CCII and more than before in the history of the organization, we are now involved in community issues affecting Ibadan generally as reflected in our participation in the last 99th birthday celebration of our highly revered monarch, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”