Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland.
The governor gave the approval in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000, as amended.
The approval was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola.
It was further stated in the statement that the approval was a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.
The statement added that the governor congratulated the new Olubadan, praying that his tenure will birth greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.
Recalled that the Olubadan throne became vacant following the demise of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II, on 14 March, 2024, after a brief illness.
The late Oba Balogun spent two years and two days on the throne, having the appointed and coronated as the Olubadan by Governor Makinde on 11 March, 2022.
Though buried same day that he died, according to Islamic rites, the late 42nd Olubadan was given a state burial by the government at a colourful event held at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, on 8 June, 2024.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin became the natural successor to the Ibadan throne, being the most senior in the Balogun line, and in accordance with the Ibadan succession tradition.