Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1, on Monday, performed his first official duty as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, crowning the Otun Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as a beaded-crown oba.
The ceremony took place at the new Olubadan Palace, located at Oke Aremo in Ibadan North Local Government Area.
The event was attended by the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, who presented the staff of office and certificate to the newly-crowned traditional ruler on behalf of the state government.
Also in attendance were members of the Olubadan-in-Council, family heads, political office holders and well wishers.
Oba Olakulehin, as the consenting authority, crowned Oba Rashidi Ladoja. He had earlier presided over the first Olubadan-In-Council meeting of his tenure.
Oba Olakulehin congratulated the people of Ibadanland on the renewed unity among Ibadan kingmakers, noting that this will translate to peace, progress and development in the ancient city.
“With the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as a beaded-crown Oba, my reign is starting on a very harmonious note to the benefit of Ibadanland as all kingmakers are all now on the same page,” Oba Olakulehin stated in a release by the Palace Media Team.
Also speaking, the acting governor, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, congratulated and commended the people of Ibadan for the development.
He said the state government is committed to strengthening the traditional institution to a pace-setting status worthy of emulation in the country.
The newly-crowned Oba Rashidi Ladoja responding, declared that the people of Ibadan are one. He noted that they have ways of settling their misunderstanding.
“They said we should do it the way it is supposed to be done. Ibadan is capable of doing its own thing. We have ways of doing our things.
“Once we enter the inner chamber, you must realise that things will change. All the problems is as a result of misunderstanding,” Oba Ladoja stated.
Recall that Oba Rashidi Ladoja had earlier refused to accept the beaded-crown of the administrations of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Governor ‘Seyi Makinde , alongside his fellow high chiefs.
Oba Ladoja, however, about two weeks ago, capitulated and accepted to wear the beaded-crown.
His position was in line with the recently-amended and gazetted Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the Makinde administration which declared that only a beaded-crown oba can become the Olubadan of Ibadan.
