Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II, today, made history as he crowned a 116-year-old baale as an oba in the ancient capital city of Oyo State.
The 116-year-old former Baale Tiamiyu Olubiyi Oladipupo, Alaba of Abanla, was installed as an oba by the Olubadan.
Oba Oladipupo, was crowned alongside 31 other obas who were also physically present to received their crowns and Staff of Office.
The 32 obas were crowned at a ceremony that took place at the Olubadan Palace at Oja’ba, with government officials, community leaders and residents in attendance.
By the singular event, Oba Balogun has not only made a significant change to the Ibadan Traditional System, but also installed the oldest traditional ruler in Yorubaland.
Newscoven.ng had earlier today reported that 34 baales, domiciled across six local government areas in Ibadanland, including Akinyele, Ona-Ara, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu and Oluyole will be crowned as obas.
However, 32 out of the 34 baales were elevated and crowned while the stools of the remaining two, Onimoniya of Moniya and Alakufo of Akufo, were vacant.
Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi, and the Aare Baamofin of Ibadanland, Justice Mashud Abass (rtd) administered the Oath of Office to the new obas on behalf of the Olubadan.
After the administration of the Oath of Office, the Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Idowu Popoola, conducted the official crowning ceremony.
In his address at the ceremony, Oba Balogun described the coronation ceremony as historic and a milestone in the Ibadan traditional system.
He acknowledged the uniqueness of the Ibadan traditional setup, which he said has evolved over time to meet the demands of the community.
Oba Balogun emphasised the importance of maintaining the traditional hierarchy while embracing the liberalism introduced by the recent changes.
He said the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi and incumbent Governor ‘Seyi Makinde made multiple obaship possible in Ibadan.
The Olubadan thanked Governor Makinde for his commitment to preserving and honouring the cultural heritage of the ancient city.
He also recognised Makinde’s predecessor, the late Senator Ajimobi, for his role in breaking the tradition of single obaship in Ibadanland.
Governor Makinde’s continuation of the legacy, he said, reflects his determination to uphold the cultural significance of the city.
“About two months ago, the first aspect of the programme was held at our ancient Mapo Hall when our hitherto High Chiefs and my members of Advisory Council were crowned as obas.
“They combined their age-long titles of High Chiefs with Royal Majesties and what we are doing here today was then foretold.
“We thank our creator for the grace of life to witness this occasion as planned.
“Again, I say kudos to the people’s governor, our own Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, for keeping faith with us in the Ibadan traditional system by his gracious approval, the pedestal upon which we stand here today. We are jointly making history.
“We are here today for the elevation and crowning of 34 of them from our various communities in our six local government councils of Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Ido and Oluyole.
“As recalled during our last exercise, we have a very unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan, which continues to evolve.
“This is in response to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the age-long aphorism that the only thing that is permanent in life is change.
“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through.
“There is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.
“The determination of our governor in the state, Engineer Makinde, in ensuring the making of this history cannot be over-emphasised.
“We cannot gloss over the boldness and political will of his predecessor, the late Sen. Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi.
“Against all odds, he broke the jinx, which had become a recurring decimal since the advent of the current democratic experience. May his soul continue to peacefully rest.
“Whatever flaws noticed in the steps taken by the late former Governor Ajimobi on the issue have been corrected by Engineer Makinde, giving us confidence that what we are doing has come to stay.
“It needs be stressed that the liberalism being brought into the system should not be taken for granted.
“We all know that there is hierarchy in our system and what we are doing does not give room for the traditional hierarchy to be eroded in any manner.
“Honour must at all times be given to whom honour is due,” the Olubadan of Ibadanland stated.
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde was represented at the ceremony by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Segun Olayiwola.
He commended the significance of the occasion and said the history of Ibadan was being written in gold with the elevation of multiple obas to support the Olubadan, the paramount ruler of the city.
The governor urged the 32 newly-crowned obas to make peace their priority and join efforts to strengthen security in the state.
During the ceremony, the new obas were presented with coronets, thus distinguishing them from members of the Olubadan Advisory Council who were previously elevated as obas.
With the 32 newly-crowned obas, the number of obas in Ibadanland has increased to 43, including the Olubadan and the 10 members of his Advisory Council.
In order of hierarchy, the Olubadan, as the paramount traditional ruler in Ibadanland, remains “His Imperial Majesty.”
Members of the Council received beaded crowns, with the title “His Royal Majesty”, while the newly-crowned obas were given coronets and they will each be addressed as “His Royal Highness.”
