The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja has constituted an economic team to resuscitate moribund industries in the ancient city.
The traditional ruler revealed this during the inauguration of the committee, which has a former Minister of trade, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande and a former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi as Chairman and co-Chairman respectively.
Other members of the committee which was inaugurated on Thursday in Ibadan are Chief Adelodun Olaiya, former Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr Kazeem Sola Adeduntan, Bada Olubadan-Designate, Chief Dotun Sanusi, Agbaoye Kola Karim, Aregbe Omo Balogun, Chief Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke and a former Head of Service of Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu who will serve as Secretary of the committee.
Former President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Remi Bello, Agbaakin Atayese of Ibadanland, Chief Yomi Idowu, Chief Owolabi Oladejo, and former President and Chairman, Governing Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, Dr Bayo Olugbemi are also members of the committee.
Ladoja while addressing the gathering, said the people of Ibadan were yearning for the glory of yesteryears, when the city was a major hub of investment and economic activities.
The committee, according to the traditional ruler, was constituted to resuscitate some moribund industries in the ancient city.
He noted that the committee members were carefully selected. “The question people are asking is where is Leyland? Where is Exide Battery? Where is Wire and Cable? Where is Isoglass? Where is Ferodo?
“Since the Kingmakers approved my appointment in July, we have been trying to find out why these companies disappeared?
“How can we bring them back to generate employment opportunities for the large army of young and able-bodied youths in our midst “