The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) is rallying influential indigenes to support the weeklong celebration of the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The move by CCII, widely described as unprecedented, will usher in Oba Ladoja as he officially wears the beaded-crown next Friday as the 44th Olubadan.
President-General of CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, recently inaugurated a committee headed by two of Ibadan billionaire businessmen, Chief Dotun Sanusi and Chief Adegboye Adegoke as co-chairmen of a committee for the celebration.
The Governor ‘Seyi Makinde-led administration had earlier inaugurated the Chief Adebayo Oyero-Committee to work out plans for the Friday, 26 September coronation of Oba Ladoja, in line with its tradition of funding the coronation of first class traditional rulers in the state.
The CCII, however, believed that, unlike the previous Olubadans, the 44th Olubadan-designate, being a successful billionaire businessman, a former senator, former governor and elder-statesman, deserves a better celebration.
It therefore inaugurated the committee with some frontline Ibadan sons donating ₦10 million each for the celebration.
The committee picked seven other days apart from the government single day of coronation day, to make the celebration a weeklong event.
Not only that, these influential Ibadan indigenes have facilitated live broadcast of the coronation with frontline media houses, including Arise TV, Channels TV, TVC, Solution FM and Ilaji FM, among others, to beam and air the event live.
Part of the weeklong programme, in a statement by Comrade Demola Babalola and Alhaji Kunle Junaid, co-chairmen, Local Organising Committee (Media/Publicity Subcommittee), is the inter-religious prayers at the Olubadan Palace Oke-Aremo, on Monday, 22 September.
There will be a stage play on the Progenitor of Kabiyesi Arusa at the Apex Hall, Yidi Agodi area.
On Tuesday, a Cultural Day will be held at the Olubadan Stadium; First Olubadan Coronation Lecture to be delivered by a renown Ibadan-born globally-acknowledged historian, Professor Toyin Falola, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
On Thursday, the 81st birthday of Oba Ladoja will be held with a special programme, including Islamic prayers at the Olubadan Palace by 10am and mega praise and worship at the Civic Centre, Agodi, starting from 2pm.
Expectedly, Friday is the Coronation Day at Mapo Hall from 9am, while the reception organised by Oba Ladoja and his family holds at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium from 3pm.
There will be a thanksgiving service on Sunday, 28 September at the Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, followed by a grand civic reception at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan by 2pm.
On Friday, 3 October, there will be a Jumat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba and traditional worshippers, Isese, will converge at Ose Meji Temple, Oja’ba on Saturday 4 October.
