Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has officially approved the nomination of Oba (Senator) Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Consequent upon the approval, it was gathered, the Olubadan-designate, Oba Ladoja, will be formally crowned as the 44th Olubadan at a coronation ceremony slated for Friday, 26 September, 2025.
It was also confirmed that a delegation by the state government had met, on Wednesday, with Ladoja and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council at his Bodija residence, Ibadan.
A media aide to Oba Ladoja, Chief Adeola Oloko, who confirmed the development said: “Oba Ladoja will be enthroned as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, 26 September, 2025.”
The ceremony of the man of destiny, who had variously served as federal lawmaker and the state governor, is billed for the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the traditional venue for the coronation of his predecessors.
Oba Ladoja had, on Tuesday, met with the kingmakers of Ibadanland at his private residence on Ondo Street, Old Bodija, in Ibadan North Local Government Area of the city.
The meeting, the first since the Olubadan-designate return to Ibadan after the demise of the immediate past traditional ruler, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was held behind closed doors and lasted for close to two hours.
Recall that members of the Olubadan-in-Council had, two weeks ago, nominated the former federal lawmaker as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The nomination of the former federal lawmaker was moved by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, and seconded by the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, during a meeting held at the Oke-Aremo palace of the Olubadan.
Ajibola, while speaking at the meeting, said all members of the Olubadan-in-Council unanimously agreed on the nomination of he former state governor.
He added that the council would forward Ladoja’s name to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, for official ratification and scheduling of the coronation ceremony, where the Staff and Certificate of Office will be presented.
Oba Ajibola had said: “When one king transits, another one is enthroned. It is in line with the tradition of Ibadanland that we are holding this meeting today (Monday).
“It is on this premise that I, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Balogun of Ibadanland, nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“His nomination was seconded by the new Otun Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole. The position that was previously held by Oba Ladoja before his nomination as the Olubadan-designate.
“We (members of the Olubadan-In-Council) have all signed and nominated Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“We will forward the resolutions of our meeting to our governor, Seyi Makinde. He will now pick a date to present a Staff of Office to the new Olubadan, in accordance with the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration as amended.”
