Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has said he is fit and ready for the throne, declaring that God has prepared him as the 43rd Olubadan of Olubadan.
Oba Olakulehin said this when representatives of the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence on Friday.
The visit, by the Oyo State Advisory Council, led by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, gave an inclination as being preparatory to the final approval for the official installation of the Olubadan-designate as the 43rd traditional ruler of Ibadanland.
Recall that the 42nd Olubadan, Oba (Sen) Lekan Balogun, joined his ancestors on 14 March, 2024, some few days after he marked his second anniversary as the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.
With the passage of Oba Balogun, the mantle naturally fell on Oba Olakulehin as the designated 43rd Olubadan, being the most senior high chief in the Ibadan traditional system.
Oba Olakulehin, speaking publicly for the first time since his announcement as the Olubadan-designate, put paid to insinuations about his health status.
He reiterated that he is hale and hearty, declaring that he has the divine backing of God as the 43rd Olubadan and noted that it is indeed his turn to mount the throne.
“I am happy and excited seeing you delegation from our governor. Since I was told that you are coming, I have told my chiefs to join me in receiving you. I am happy that my people are here with me.
“I am fully ready. I know God is behind me. He has said that I am the next Olubadan, and I know truly that it is my turn. By God’s grace, I will not disappoint you my people.
“All of us that have been together in the system for long shall celebrate the success together. I thank the governor for initiating this visit. We shall equally be expecting him as promised,” Oba Olakulehin said.
Also speaking on behalf of the kingmakers, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe said: “Ibadan has never been destroyed and it shall not.
“We thank the governor. He is a true-born of Ibadan and I pray that he will never be put to shame. It is now that I can sleep soundly. Everybody can now see that our Kabiyesi is hale and hearty.”
Earlier, the leader of the governor’s delegation, Chief Ayorinde, told the Olubadan-designate that the governor’s representatives were sent to greet him, noting that the governor would visit him when he is back from his trip outside the state.
The governor’s delegation included the first female Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Segun Olayiwola, among others.
Other obas present during the visit included Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Asipa Olubadan); Oba Eddy Oyewale (Osi Olubadan); Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe (Osi Balogun); and Oba Kola Adegbola (Asipa Balogun Olubadan).
