Ibile G7 Club, an Ibadan socio-cultural group, has congratulated the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, on his ascension to the throne of his forefathers.
The club described the new Olubadan as a worthy leader who, given his contributions to the development of Ibadanland over the years, eminently deserved to be crowned the 43rd traditional ruler of the ancient city.
The club stated these in a statement signed by Messrs Lanre Ogundipe and Olajide Laniyonu to congratulate Oba Olakulehin who formally became the Olubadan of lbadanland today.
Oba Olakulehin became the Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, the late Oba Lekan Balogun CFR, Okunmade Alli Okunmade II, who joined his ancestors on 14 March, 2024, after two years on the throne.
“Kabiyesi, on behalf of all of us at the Ibile G7 Club, it gives us a great pleasure to wish you a heartfelt congratulations on your coronation.
“Our association and affinity with our progenitor, Lagelu, Oro Apata-Maja House of Ibadanland, as indigenes, are strong and long-standing.
“Our club/association is deeply rooted and founded on the continued sustenance of the traditions and culture of our forefathers. We greatly value the enduring interest and support in promoting our core values in Ibadanland.
“We know and appreciate how much Ibadanland means to Your Imperial Majesty and how much you value the great land, with love and passion,” it was stated in the statement.
Ibile G7 Club further stated that the people of Ibadanland will not forget the roles and contributions the new Olubadan made over the years to the development of Ibadanland.
These contributions, it stated, Oba Olakulehin made “with your personal, traditional connections and with your background and vast experience, as you stepped through the lengthy ladder and the royalty curves.
“These are, indeed, unequal sacrifices which made you a worthy father with an open mind who is fit, proper and well prepared for the exalted throne as the paramount Oba of Ibadanland!”
Ibile G7 Club asserted that its members and many other people acknowledged that people who had the opportunity to have crossed the path of Oba Olakulehin have great testimonials of who the 43rd Olubadan is.
“This is most especially now that you are wearing the greatest and the father of all crowns to lead us in the great megapolis of Ibadanland and its entire environs where your reign would be sacrosanct!
“We are honoured for not only being genuine indigenes but also proud sons of the soil. The word, Ibadan, is our badge/title,” the club added in the statement.
Ibile G7 Club restated its love, respect, and loyalty and those of other Ibadan indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to the cause of the entrenched and valued customs and traditions of Ibadanland.
“We are also not going to be shy in our responsibilities. We shall be ready to pay the price for the defence of the ideals, norms and traditions of our dear Ibadanland which all of us, including Your Imperial Majesty, believed strongly and so dearly in!
“Just as you have pledged a life of service to the your subjects and the people of Ibadanland, so is our own avowed pledge too to support and serve the needs of Ibadanland to the glory and the memories of all of our renowned forebears
“Kabiiyesii, we greatly value the trust the people of Ibadanland placed in us to fulfil and to ensure that our core values are not trampled upon and we hope we will always be worthy of that trust and noble duty!
“On this historic and joyous day, we remember our past royal fathers and their years of dedicated services and shining examples, for which we will always be grateful and remember with nostalgia!
“From all of us at ibile G7 Club, long may you reign, Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin-Ige-Olakulehin 1.
“Kabiesi Oba Alayeluwa Ige- Olakulehin 1, Olubadan tile Ibadan, K’ade pe l’ori o. Ki bata pe’lese Oba o. Irukere Oba a di okinin. Esin Oba a si je’ko pee pee o! ASE!!!,” Ibile G7 Club added in the statement.
