Fourteen Royal Highnesses, made up of obas under the Royal Majesties in the Ibadan Obaship structure, paid their respects to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, at his residence on Monday.
The Alalubosa residence of the Olubadan-designate has been a beehive of activities with individuals and groups paying homage to the recently-nominated 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Oniroko Of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Opeola, who lead the 14 Royal Highnesses, expressed delight and satisfaction at the condition in which they met Oba Olakulehin and prayed for his long and successful tenure as the Olubadan.
“The Royal Highnesses are here today [Monda] to pay obeisance to Kabiyesi as he prepares to ascend the throne of his forefathers.
“Oba Olakulehin has been good to us and was very instrumental to our installation as Royal Highnesses. It will therefore be unforgivable if we don’t come to pay homage and respects to our benefactor.
“Our prayer is for God’s guidance, protection, peaceful and long reign as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland,” the Oniroko of Iroko said.
Among the individuals who also recently visited Oba Olakulehin were Chief Bode Amao; Chief Bayo Oyero, a former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII); Alhaji Laditi Ladapo, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government; Professor Adekunle Adeniran, a former acting Vice-Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo and Venerable Olatunde Alamu.
Several groups have also recently visited the Olubadan-designate, including members of the Ibadan Kingmakers led by Oba Adebimpe; Iyalode line of the Ibadan Traditional Council, led by Chief (Mrs) Amudalat Adekunle, the Otun Iyalode.
Rt. Rev Joseph Akinfenwa, last week, led top Anglican clerics to Oba Olakulehin, while Aare Egbe Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, led Mogajis of Ibadan families on an obeisance visit to the Olubadan-designate.
Just today, the Association of Traditional Baales who are heads of the Ibadan Less City also took their turn to pay homage to Oba Olakulehin.
The Traditional Baales, led by Baale Folorunso Ige of Olohunde Ige in Oluyole Local Government Area, conveyed their warm and best wishes to the traditional ruler.
They said they were looking forward to the colourful and peaceful coronation of Oba Olakulehin that will usher in a tenure of greater growth and development in Ibadanland.
All these visits were coming in the wake of the preparations to the coronation ceremony of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin following his nomination as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan.
This was as the indigenes and residents of Ibadan awaited the much-anticipated formal announcement of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde.
