Oba Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and a former federal lawmaker, was, on Friday morning, officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Friday, presented the Staff and Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan at the historic Mapo Hall at a very colourful event attended by President Bola Tinubu.
Oba Ladoja had earlier in the morning been crowned as the 44th Olubadan at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting Oba Ladoja with the Staff and Instrument of Office, Governor Makinde declared that the Olubadan traditional system and succession process are sacrosanct and must be upheld.
He maintained that all challenges associated with the Olubadan Chieftaincy System in recent years are over, just as he prayed that the reign of Oba Ladoja would usher in peace, progress and development in the city.
“In front of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is here with us to celebrate the coronation and presentation of Staff of Office, I, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Subsections 1 and 2 of section 20 of the Chiefs Law, Cap 28, Volume 1, laws of Oyo State, Nigeria 2000, and by virtue of all other powers enabling in that behalf, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I,” he said.
The governor congratulated all the sons and daughters of Ibadanland, noting that the era of Oba Ladoja has begun to witness positive developments.
According to him, history was made President Tinubu, landed at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, in the first wide-bodied aircraft to ever land in the facility.
Governor Makinde pointed out that the ascension of the new Olubadan was met with excitement by residents of the city, stating that this was an indication that the people want the Olubadan tradition to be upheld.
He said: “I congratulate all sons and daughters of Ibadanland at home and in the Diaspora. The excitement everywhere in this city today shows that we must uphold our tradition. I want to say that all challenges associated with Ibadan traditional institutions are now over and behind us.
“What this means is that the tradition, the succession and process are now sacrosanct. We know everything about that succession.
“Today, history was literally made. The president landed at the Ibadan Airport with the first wide-bodied aircraft ever to land in Ibadan Airport. This shows that the era of Oba Ladoja has begun to witness positive developments.
“So, I want to congratulate Kabiyesi and to say that his reign shall be peaceful, bring progress and development to Ibadanland.”
In his speech, President Tinubu also congratulated Oba Ladoja, noting that it was a great honour to witness his coronation as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Tinubu described Oba Ladoja’s perseverance, resilience and reliability as impeccable and reminisced on their days in the Nigerian Senate.
He spoke on the travails of Oba Ladoja during his impeachment as governor of Oyo State and his comeback, praying to God to grant the new royal father long life and success on the throne so that he would be celebrated as one of the rare gems to ascend the throne.
In his welcome address, the deputy governor of the state, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, also congratulated the new Olubadan, stressing that his ascension to the throne marked the climax of his resilient journey.
Similarly, in their separate goodwill messages, Chairman, Olubadan Coronation Planning Committee, Chief Bayo Oyero; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII)), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole and the Agbaoye of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Karim, appreciated Governor Makinde.
They thanked the governor for his support and commitment to tradition, describing the coronation of the 44th Olubadan as a blessing to Ibadanland.
The trio prayed that the reign of the new Olubadan would bring more growth, progress and prosperity to Ibadanland and Oyo State.
Oba Ladoja Asks Tinubu For Ibadan State
In his acceptance speech, Oba Ladoja made a passionate appeal to President Tinubu to ensure the creation of Ibadan State out of the present Oyo State before May 2027.
The Olubadan said Ibadan is blessed with highly resourceful people both indigenes and residents in the city.
He said the forefathers of s’ibadan made great decisions in accommodating leading federal establishments and private businesses, which must now give back to the people of Ibadan.
The new oba pleaded with President Tinubu to make the creation of Ibadan State from the current Oyo State a reality before May 2027.
Oba Ladoja declared that his reign would be about service to Ibadan, Oyo State, Yorubaland, Nigeria and Africa, stating that he would serve the people to the best of his ability.
He said all that is left for him to do is service to humanity, since God spared his life to witness his 81st birthday and also attain the throne of Olubadan.
He equally declared that his reign would be about urban renewal, as many of the communities in the city, which are fast becoming slums, would be rebuilt.
“This Staff of Office that the governor, our son in whom we are well-pleased, has presented to me is a source of joy to all Ibadan sons and daughters.
One year ago, some people thought Ibadan would scatter, but Ibadan has a way of settling its matters and we are here today in unity and oneness.
“I appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government, and the Coronation Committee for this event.
“I also appreciate the Olubadan-in-Council; they all supported me. They are the kingmakers and if they did not agree to my nomination, I cannot be here today.
“I am assuring the people of Ibadan that, since God spared me till today, I will serve them and I will do it with all my powers. There is nothing else I am looking for in life. Yesterday, I clocked 81. Some people do not have this privilege.
“So, I recognise that the fact that God spared me till date, what remains is to serve every resident of Ibadan, serve Oyo State, serve Yorubaland, serve Nigeria and Africa, to the best of my ability.”
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ademola Ojo, in his Vote of Thanks, appreciated everyone that graced the occasion.
The event was attended by the wife of the Oyo State governor, Engineer (Mrs) Tamunomini Makinde; governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke; governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji.
Also present were former governors of Ogun State, Senators Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former governors of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankaso and Ibrahim Shekarau;
Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former deputy governor of Oyo State and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and a wife of Oba Ladoja, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja.
Notable royal fathers from all parts of the country, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, among many others, also graced the event.
Oyo State government functionaries present at the event included the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Debo Ogundoyin; the state Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo;
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazim Adeniyi; members of Oyo State House of Assembly, commissioners, special advisers and chairmen of local government areas from Ibadan.
Also in attendance were the Forum of Former Governor’s Wives in Nigeria (2003-2007), service commanders and religious leaders, among others.
