From Segun Olatunji, Abeokuta
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, arrived in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State to commence a two-day official visit to the state.
He held a 20-minute closed-door meeting with the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona inside the monarch’s Ijebu-Ode palace with Governor Ibikunle Amosun in attendance.
Buhari, after the meeting with Awujale and Amosun, also disclosed during the banquet organised in his honour by the traditional ruler that he would be meeting with former president Olusegun Obasanjo later last night.
The president, who arrived in the state at about 6:20pm, flew into the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode in a chopper and was received at the stadium by Amosun and state officials. He was immediately driven into the palace of Oba Adetona.
During his official visit to Ogun, which is part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the creation of the state, Buhari is expected to inaugurate about 40 projects located across the three senatorial districts of the state. He, however, had to shelve the ones slated for Ijebu-Ode due to time constraint.
But Buhari apologised 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.
In his response, the Awujale urged President Buhari to intensify his anti-corruption crusade, and added. “if you don’t kill corruption, corruption would kill the country.”
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 Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and 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.