The elevation of members of the Olubadan Advisory Council to beaded crown-wearing obas with the titles of royal majesties again re-echoed today.
A former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, described the development as very good and something Ibadan indigenes should be proud of.
Professor Afolabi said this at the reception held as part of the activities to mark the first coronation anniversary of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II.
The former Head of Service of the Federation stated this in a release by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola.
The reception was held at Jogor Centre, Liberty Stadium Road, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
Professor Afolabi was the chairman of the Royal Committee that organised the first coronation anniversary of Oba Balogun.
He said: “With 10 obas and one Imperial Majesty, Ibadan can now be said to be a metropolis with more than an oba and which we are all proud of.”
Recalled that all the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council except Otun Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, were crowned as obas.
Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, had said his ambition was to become the Olubadan.
He subsequently approached the court, seeking that the elevation of the 10 high chiefs to obas be declared illegal, null and void.
The 10 beaded crown-wearing obas were however presented with their staff of office as royal majesties by Oba Balogun last July.
The event took place at the ancient Mapo Hall in the heartland of the state capital. It was witnessed by the state governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde and several other dignitaries.
Professor Afolabi explained that the reception programme was organised to celebrate Oba Balogun’s first year on the throne.
He further said the reign of the Olubadan in the last one year “has been very peaceful and eventful.”
Professor Afolabi charged Ibadan indigenes wherever they may be to identify with the cause of Ibadanland.
He stressed that the identification with Ibadanland should go beyond membership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Afolabi disclosed that the celebration would be an annual event with the permission of Oba Balogun who immediately gave his express approval.
The former Head of Service equally requested for support of Ibadan sons and daughters, both at home and in the Diaspora, to heed the calls of the committee whenever they are called upon.
He used the occasion to express gratitude to other members of the First Anniversary Planning Committee.
They included the new Ajiroba of Ibadanland, Professor Soji Adejumo, former Oyo State Head of Service (HoS) and Bobajiro of Ibadanland, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu.
Others included immediate past senator from Oyo South Senatorial District, Dr. Kola Balogun; the new Agba Ofin of Ibadanland, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde; and Osi Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Kayode Balogun (GKB), among others.
The reception programme was also attended by prominent personalities including politicians, businessmen and women, members of academia and traditional rulers.
Also present were some members of the Olubadan Advisory Council, some baales led by their President and Baale Ekotedo, Dr. Taye Ayorinde, mogajis and several others.
Highlight of the colourful event was the re-launch of the “Compendium”, specially packaged for the anniversary celebration.
