The common slogan that ‘there’s no hurry in life when the like – minds meet’ (bi a ba ri oloro eni, soro-soro la maa n da’) aptly captured the scene on Saturday afternoon when members of Ibadan Royalty Committee met with the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at his Ondo Street, Old Bodija Housing Estate Ibadan residence on homage.
Even, when the visitors were hurrying up matters in order not to take much of their host’s time, it was the host, Kabiyesi, who was assuring them that he’s not in a hurry.
A committee like no other, the Ibadan Royalty Committee parades the best minds anybody can think of anywhere in the world: Highly successful individuals in their respective human endeavours, brilliant, cosmopolitan, selfless and genuinely committed and loyal to Ibadan cause.
Though, not all of them could make the trip to Olubadan-designate’s residence for the historic visit, the number and calibre of the attendees were not less intimidating.
The Ibadan Royal Committed was led on the homage visit by its chairman and former Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Professor Oladipo Afolabi, mni. Others members included one of the most successful private schools’ owners in the metropolis, Chief Mrs. Bola Doherty, MFR, former Oyo State Head of Service and Bobajiro of Ibadanland, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, mni and Akinrogun of Ibadanland, a retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Chief Adenike Akerele.
Others were both former and current Presidents-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga and Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, respectively; Otun Akogun of Ibadanland and Osi Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Ghani Kola Balogun; Mogaji Aboderin compound; Chief Olutunde Aboderin, Dr. Akintunde Carim, Basorun Segun Sanni and yours sincerely.
Professor Afolabi, who briefed Oba Ladoja on the purpose of the homage visit, said the Ibadan Royalty Committee came round to rejoice with him on the grace of God upon him which saw him all through the journey and to let the Olubadan-designate know that the committee would solidly stand behind him on the throne.
The chairman of the Ibadan Royalty Committee said: “We are grateful to God for you, Kabiyesi and we have come to rejoice with you.
“Our committee is not in anyway competing with any other group in Ibadan. Rather, our focus and mandate is how to ensure that the Ibadan crown assumes its proper place in the comity of crowns.
“Kabiyesi, our crown in Ibadan is bigger than how we look at it with over 12 million people being your subjects. How many crowns across the globe can boast of such vast population of subjects?
“Ibadan crown deserves all respect and reverence and this we are concerned about. We are very much happy that whatever we project for our crown in Ibadan, we have a symbol of impeccable and intimidating credentials.
“How many of towns and cities can boast of a monarch of your esteemed personality as a successful businessman, a former senator, former governor and High Chief for many years before ascension of throne? You are an oba like no other oba by every standard.
“We, the Ibadan Royalty Committee, are here to pledge our ever-ready support for you, Kabiyesi. We are very much available and ready to collaborate with the palace on whatever agenda is set for the progress and upliftment of the throne and by extension, Ibadanland.”
In his own contribution, Bobajiro of Ibadanland, who incidentally was a senior Permanent Secretary (PS) during Oba Ladoja’s tenure as the state governor, Alhaji Aremu, said the time has come for Ibadan to take its rightful place among the comity of metropolis.
He noted that “it is whatever honour we give to ourselves that people will give to us. Our crown deserves our utmost respect from us the owner of the crown and it is then we can demand same from others. (Bi onigba ba se pe igba re la se n pe e).
“We are so blessed with abundant human and material resources which we are going to work with towards achieving our set goal of elevating our crown in Ibadan.
“There is no better time than now with a man of so many parts as the symbol. We are ready to work with you, Kabiyesi and it is our prayer that the life of good health that is long and which is needed to accomplish your lofty dreams for the throne will not be denied Your Majesty,” he added.
Chief Mrs. Doherty, in her brief comment, was full of prayers. She described the Olubadan-designate as a pride of Ibadanland in general and that of the Ibadan Royalty Committee in particular.
She described Oba Ladoja as an uncommon type, and asked, “where’s that community anywhere in the country that has a monarch with the kind of credentials being held by our incoming Olubadan?
“We are aware of the enormous expectations of our people from the palace under Your Majesty’s reign and which you are more than capable of meeting by the grace of Almighty God.
“As earlier said by our chairman, we are going to solidly stand by you, Kabiyesi and together, we shall drive the elevation and progressive agenda of Ibadan crown”.
Before the response by the Olubadan-designate, the CCII current President-General, Chief Ajewole, eulogised the Ibadan Royalty Committee. He noted that he would be fair to the members of the committee present should he fail to let Kabiyesi know the yeoman’s job the committee did on the new Ibadan Palace even before his emergence as the CCII PG.
He disclosed that a huge amount of money had been contributed towards the project, stressing that, to underscore the importance of the committee’s contribution, its name would be on the tower being erected just like those of other prominent individuals, including Oba Ladoja.
In his response, Oba Ladoja, who acknowledged knowing every member individually, admitted the enormity of the people’s expectations from him which he said had started manifesting through the massive visits of people to his residence as if there had not been crowning of Olubadan before.
He said even those to grace the coronation, going by indication of readiness has become overwhelming.
“The President-General of CCIC has himself confirmed his readiness to be part of the programme, just like former and current governors, lawmakers, business people, colleague Obas from across the country, name them, the attendance is going to be massive.
“We are not going to be drowned by the euphoria of the moment, but to think and tap what benefits can such people, either individually or collectively bring to our land. We have abundant human resources that we are going to tap and make use of.
“We are not limiting such to Ibadan sons and daughters alone but also to non-indigenes, who God had used Ibadan at one point in time or the other to make contributions to their success. They are so many and they are ready if called upon.
“What I want to tell you is that I will be the coordinator for you and what that means is that I cannot do the job alone.
“As you have pledged, I am very happy and I want you to honour your pledge by being always readily available to offer your services at all times. Don’t even wait to be called upon, bear in mind that the Palace is jointly owned by all of us. So, you are co-coordinators of our people.
“My ambition is to ensure that the crown is retrieved from the government by ensuring that the Palace is self-sustaining and it is feasible. All the seemingly neglected sectors are going to be tapped into and make good use of”, Oba Ladoja stated further.
He profusely thanked members of the Ibadan- Royalty Committee for the visit which he described as an engaging one.
The Olubadan-designate, who is going to be the 44th on the Ibadan throne will, on the 26th September, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland officially ascend the exalted throne.
