Alajede palace undergoing rehabilitation (left) and the state of the palace for the rehabilitation (right)
Chieftains of the Alajede – in – Council have appealed to both indigenes and residents in Ijede community to support them in rehabilitating the Alajede palace in Ijede which has been in a state of dilapidation for many years.
The traditional chiefs, who said that with or without a King, the palace which is meant for the entire town must be kept in a good shape as it is an heritage which must be preserved at all times.
THE IMPACT had in November 2016, in a report titled, “Alajede Palace: Shameful State Of A First Class Ruler’s Palace”, called the attention of the Alajede chieftains, Ijede LCDA and generality of Ijede people to the dilapidation state of the palace and called for urgent action to salvage the structure from complete collapse.
Six years after, our reporter visited the palace and discovered that the Alajede chiefs led by the Regent/Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Alliu and other chiefs have already mobilized the community for the rehabilitation as the palace now wears a new look and in a better shape.
Although, much has gone into the rehabilitation in term of resources going by the level of work so far, but there still lots to be done to modernize the palace into a befitting royal abode and community heritage.
High Chief Babatunde Alliu Ogunmuyiwa spoke with THE IMPACT on behalf of others chieftains in an interview recently at the Alajede palace.
The palace roof before the commencement of the ongoing rehabilitation and the state of the roof now.
“Even, while we are still expecting a King, we are of the opinion that our palace is not just for the King alone, but entire community, hence, it should be kept intact at all time. The state of our palace between 2016 and 2017, was a shame to the chiefs, local government, state government, the Egbin Power PLC, and Ijede as a whole, as reported by your paper then, but today, we thank God that the palace is in new shape and as you have said before the interview, it now looks like the palace of a popular King that I don’t want to mention”, Odofin Alajede
“We thank God for what we have been able to do so far and for those who have been able to assist us. In fact, one of our sons came here one day and gave us N500. He said that he wanted to contribute but that he’s not working and he brought out N500.
“I would have loved to mention his name, but he told me not to mention his name. I want to appeal to the people of Ijede to also intervene and let us rebuild this palace into a befitting one.
“The palace is not my palace nor that of any of the chief or Baale. The palace belongs to all the people of Ijede. They should also be part of this by contributing their own quota. I just told you a young man came here to donate N500 towards the project”, he appealed.
The Odofin thanked people of Ijede, Ijede LCDA and the Egbin Power PLC, who have so far intervened in the rehabilitation. He also thanked individuals like Rep. Babajimi Benson, Mr Abdul – Azeez Awesu, Recon Nigeria Limited and others for their contributions.
The traditional chiefs also appealed to others who are yet to reach out them, to positively respond to their requests.
“First and foremost, we have to thank the Eledumare who is the custodian of heaven and earth. Secondly, we have to thank the concerned people of Ijede, Egbin Power PLC, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Awesu, Rencon Nigeria Limited, Carpenter Association and others for their contributions as well”, he said.
“We’ll not say our local government has not contributed anything. During the time of Alhaji Fathiu Salisu, he contributed and this new administration under Hon. Motunrayo Alogba, has pledged to make contribution and has since fulfilled part of the pledge and we are still expecting more from them, and I want to believe they are going to do that soon.
“We also appreciate Hon. Jimi Benson for his contribution and intervention as well as Hon. Awesu, the PDP House of Representative aspirant who also gave us money. We have written to our Senator, Sen. Mikhail Abriu and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, and we are expecting to hear from them and others. As at today, those mentioned are the ones that have so far contributed to this new development.”, he added.
