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Tag: Ladoja

  • Mogaji Abiodun felicitates Ladoja on 80th birthday

    Mogaji Abiodun felicitates Ladoja on 80th birthday

    Mogaji Olubadan, Lato’s compound, Labo, Ibadan, Mogaji (Prof) Gbolagade Abiodun has felicitated with former Oyo state governor, Rashidi Ladoja on his 80th birthday celebration.

    He said Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan, is exemplary in traditional and political leadership.

    A statement by Gbolagade described Ladoja as his father, saying Ladoja’s contributions to the progress and development of Oyo State and the country are immeasurable and exemplary.

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    Abiodun added that the monarch is worthy of celebration for the different roles he has played in different spheres as an achiever in business, a worthy model in politics, and a committed community leader.

    He said: “Our father, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, I rejoice with you as you add another year today.

    “Your life of service, your people-oriented leadership, and your immense contributions to the progress and development of Oyo State are exemplary.

    “As you mark another birthday in your eventful life, I pray to God to grant you good health and more wisdom to make more impact on humanity.”

  • Olubadan: Olakulehin remains only king in Ibadanland, says Ladoja

    Olubadan: Olakulehin remains only king in Ibadanland, says Ladoja

    After months of uncertainty and rancour, peace could be said to have returned to the Olubadan Chieftaincy, as discord might have been laid to rest.

    This is because a former governor of Oyo State, who is also a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was yesterday crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the reviewed Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration Law.

    The review had generated acrimony and controversy between Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan-in-Council on one hand and ex-governor Ladoja on the other hand, as the latter had refused to be crowned while others were presented.

    However, yesterday’s presentation of beaded crown to Ladoja by the Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and subsequent presentation of staff and instrument of office by Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, who represented his principal, Makinde, have laid to rest controversies on the matter.

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    The ceremony, held at the new palace of the Olubadan in Oke Aremo, Ibadan was the first official event of the monarch. It was witnessed by prominent sons of Ibadanland and top government functionaries.

    Olubadan, the consenting authority, who crowned Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who had earlier before the ceremony presided over the first Olubadan-in- Council meeting of his tenure, used the opportunity to congratulate the people of Ibadanland on the renewed unity among Ibadan kingmakers which, according to him, would translate into peace, progress and development in the land.  

    “With the coronation of Oba Ladoja as a beaded crown Oba, my reign is starting on a very harmonious note, to the benefit of Ibadan land, as all kingmakers are now on the same page,” he said.

    Speaking before making the presentation, Lawal said the Governor Makinde administration would prioritise efforts that would enhance the status of the royal system in the state and make it a worthy reference point for other Southwest states.

    He said the occasion had put an end to the controversies surrounding the issue of beaded crown in Ibadanland and had shown that the traditional system was capable of reinventing itself without external interference.

    Shortly after receiving the beaded crown, staff of office and the certificate of office, the newly-elevated Oba, Senator Ladoja, thanked Governor Makinde and the state government for their efforts in ensuring that peace reigns in Ibadanland.

    He equally thanked the indigenes of Ibadanland for their support, praying for the progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State.

    He said there was nothing wrong in becoming a king in Olubadan line, adding that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin, remained the only king in the ancient city and that other Obas remained his subjects and advisers.

  • Why I accepted to become king in Olubadan line, by Ladoja

    Why I accepted to become king in Olubadan line, by Ladoja

    Former governor Rasidi Ladoja has stated that there is no issue with assuming the position of king in the Olubadan lineage.

    He emphasised that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, remains the only paramount king in the ancient city, while all other Obas are considered subjects and advisers.

    With his recent crowning, Ladoja has now adopted the title of Oba.

    Speaking after receiving his beaded crown as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan from the Olubadan at a ceremony held on Monday, August 12, Oba Ladoja affirmed his new status.

    The event was graced by Acting Governor Bayo Lawal, who presented him with the staff and instrument of office.

    Addressing concerns, Oba Ladoja mentioned that those who anticipated a crisis in the ancient city due to the reform of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration were mistaken.

    He explained that all parties involved were able to resolve their differences amicably.

    Ladoja also noted that he agreed to take the crown after all his reservations and uncertainties were addressed.

    Oba Ladoja said: “We can do our things on our own in Ibadanland, those thinking that Ibadan will burn are liars, whenever there is an issue among us, you will see that things will change once we enter the room and come out, that’s all because we know what is right

    “Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?

    “They have answered us that we were king in the Olubadan line because what the declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa, and Ekeerin including all of us in the Olubadan line can become king.

    Read Also: Ladoja to receive ceremonial-beaded crown as Otun Olubadan today

    “There is nothing wrong in becoming the king in Olubadan line

    “The question I have been asking of where is our domain has been answered.

    “Only those that God destinated can become the Olubadan, we have seen some who rose to the post of the Otun and Balogun but eventually didn’t become the Olubadan

    “Now that we have become the king, we have become the adviser and servant to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he wants as our king.

    “We only have one king in Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is our king.”

    He thanked the Ibadan people and residents of Ibadan, praying that Ibadan will continue to witness tremendous achievements.

  • JUST IN: Ladoja receives beaded crown as Otun Olubadan

    JUST IN: Ladoja receives beaded crown as Otun Olubadan

    Former governor, Rasidi Ladoja, has been crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    He was crowned by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at a ceremony attended by acting governor, Bayo Lawal of Oyo state in the company of other top government functionaries.

    He was presented with the staff and instrument of office by the acting governor.

    Read Also: Ladoja to receive ceremonial-beaded crown as Otun Olubadan today

    The event was held at the Aafin Olubadan of Ibadalland, Oke Aremo, Ibadan on Monday, August 12.

    The event was the first ceremony of the Olubadan which was preceded by a meeting of the members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

  • Ladoja to receive ceremonial-beaded crown as Otun Olubadan today

    Ladoja to receive ceremonial-beaded crown as Otun Olubadan today

    Former Oyo State governor and a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, will today be crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    The crowning followed the acceptance and expression of willingness of the ex-governor to wear the beaded crown as a pre-requisite for his crowning as the Olubadan of Ibadanland when it gets to his turn.

    A source said Ladoja received the letter notifying him of the development at the weekend.

    The source added that the crown befitting of Ladoja’s status as Otun Olubadan would be presented to him at the inaugural meeting of Olubadan-in-council to be presided over by Oba Owolabi Olakulehin today at the new palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

    The source said: “Ladoja received the letter on Friday evening.

    “That the crown befitting of his status as Otun Olubadan will be presented to him at the inaugural meeting of Olubadan-in-council to be presided over by Oba Olakulehin on August 12 at the new palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.”

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    The Nation reports that Ladoja, who is next in line to the Olubadan throne, had fought the late former governor Abiola Ajimobi, who initially came up with the Olubadan reform and his successor, Seyi Makinde, for continuing the process after he too had condemned it.

    The Nation reports that the former governor, expressing optimism to become the next Olubadan while featuring on a radio programme last week, said he would receive the crown if that was what would hinder him from becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    He said his decision to accept to wear the beaded crown followed consultation with Christians, Muslims, Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland, noting that his decision and what Ibadan people wanted warranted his acceptance.

    Ladoja says taking the crown does not make him an Oba because it is a ceremonial crown.

  • Ladoja to receive Ibadan ceremonial beaded crown Monday 

    Ladoja to receive Ibadan ceremonial beaded crown Monday 

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will present the Ibadan ceremonial beaded crown to the former governor of Oyo state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja on Monday, August 11.

    The presentation will hold at the new Olubadan palace, Oke-Aremo in Ibadan North local government area.

    The Nation gathered that the letter to this effect was signed by Oba Olakulehin and conveyed to High Chief Ladoja who had earlier accepted to receive the crown.

    It was gathered that the presentation would be done shortly after the maiden Olubadan Advisory Council meeting scheduled to hold at the same venue.

    The presentation of the crown will be the first official function to be performed by the Olubadan since his enthronement as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, July 12.

    Olubadan had earlier made it known that he would not perform any official function until his coronation thanksgiving service which was held last week at Saint Peters Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan 

    Read Also: Ladoja accepts beaded crown

    All plans for the presentation of the beaded crown to Otun Olubadan have been finalised with the Oluwo Afobaje of  Ibadanland who is expected to bless the crown before it is presented.

    It is expected that the him acting governor of Oyo state, Bayo Lawal may be on hand to present the staff of office and address. Also expected are the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Bayo Ojo.and host of others.

    Since last Sunday when Otun Olubadan Ladoja consented to accept the beaded crown, his Ondo Street, Bodija Ibadan residence has become  a Mecca of some sort with streams of visitors from far and near call, Ibadan ing to encourage  and congratulate him.

    Dignitaries who came to visit him are the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, Ibadan elders at home and diaspora including former CCII Presidents-General, Asiwaju Bode Amao, Aare Mayegun Bayo Oyero, Chief Wole Akinwande,Prince Yemisi Adeaga and current President General,Niyi Ajewole.

    Others are Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Aare Daud Makanjuola,Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Chief Yekini Abass, Baales,Ibadan Mogajis led by Chief Asimiyu Ariori, market men and women.Today,Former Minister,Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Chief Mutiu Aare,members of Omo Ajorosun Club led by Engr Sunday Gbenjo and members of Borokinni Club,home and diaspora led by Sheikh Lukman Asukuna visited the Otun Olubadan and encouraged him to accept the beaded crown with promise that no evil would befall him.

  • Ladoja accepts beaded crown

    Ladoja accepts beaded crown

    • •I remain Otun Olubadan, says ex-governor
    • •Former governor, Olubadan – in council at Olakulehin’s coronation thanksgiving service

    Ex-Oyo State governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday said his decision to join other high chiefs to wear beaded crown should not be taken as if he had become an Oba.

    He said despite his acceptance to wear beaded crown, which he described as a ceremonial crown, he remained the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    Speaking with reporters at his Bodija home, the former governor said his decision to accept the beaded crown followed consultation with Christians, Muslims, Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland, adding that his decision and what Ibadan people wanted warranted his acceptance.

    He said taking the crown does not make him an Oba because it is a ceremonial crown.

    Said he: “The crown is a ceremonial crown, and it is for those of us who are already in Olubadan line to become the Olubadan. We only have one Oba in Ibadanland, who is the Olubadan.

    “For Ibadan, the crown does not make someone a king, I’m not an Oba, I still remain the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland. To be an Oba, you need to have a domain and chiefs. As Olubadan chief, you can’t be a king in Ibadan and wear your crown and horse whip to the Olubadan palace.

    “People said the amended Chieftaincy Law was targeted at me, but I believe the amended law was made public for me to know what can hinder me from becoming the Olubadan.

    “It’s not just for me to become the Olubadan, it’s about service. Only God knows who will become Olubadan. What else do I want if God has been kind enough to me to live to this age?”

    Sen. Ladoja, Olubadan-in-council, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ajeniyi Ajewole, a lawyer; and President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, were among eminent Nigerians who attended thanksgiving service for the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

    The service, held yesterday at Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including monarchs, politicians and religious leaders.

    The Bishop of Ibadan North Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Rotimi Aladekugbe, urged Oba Olakulehin to use his position to promote peace, unity and development in Ibadanland.

    Read Also: I remain Otun Olubadan despite accepting to wear beaded crown – Ladoja

    He prayed for wisdom, guidance and strength for the monarch as he begins his reign.

    Oba Olakulehin thanked God for the opportunity to serve as the Olubadan of Ibadanland and promised to work for the progress and prosperity of his people.

    He thanked the people of Ibadanland for their support and cooperation during his coronation.

    The Olubadan was accompanied to the service by his children and other members of the royal family.

    The service featured hymns, prayers and thanksgiving, as well as a special hymn in honour of the monarch.

    It marked the end of the coronation activities of Oba Olakulehin, who was crowned as the 43th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

  • Olubadan: Ladoja in dilemma over crowning

    Olubadan: Ladoja in dilemma over crowning

    The Otun Olubadan, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, is in a dilemma over acceptance of crown as a precondition to be enthroned as the next Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    The former governor of Oyo State is next in line to the Olubadan throne, being the most senior on the Otun line.

    A slight review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration that was gazetted in July last year prescribed that any high chief that would be nominated for the throne must be an Oba already in line with the crowning of high chiefs in 2017 and the re-crowning of last year.

    Ladoja was the only high chief who rejected the crown at both periods. He also challenged the crowning of his colleagues in court in 2017 and last year. But the July last year gazette has made it compulsory for anyone to occupy the throne of the Olubadan to have been crowned as a member of the Olubadan-in-Council.

    The judgment in the 2017 suit filed by Ladoja against the Oyo State Government was given in his favour as the court held that only the Olubadan of Ibadan had the right to undertake a review of the declaration, not the Oyo State governor. Ladoja insisted on the implementation of the judgment as a precondition for the late Oba Lekan Balogun to be enthroned as the 42nd Olubadan in spite of the appeal filed by the crowned high chiefs against the judgment.

    Consequently, the high chiefs were forced to drop their crowns to pave the way for Balogun to be enthroned. But the late monarch undertook the review of last year, which led to the re-crowning of the high chiefs. The review further forbids any member of the council that is not crown-wearing from being enthroned as the Olubadan. Ladoja also withdrew his suit against the re-crowning to pave the way for the current monarch, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, to be enthroned so he could inch closer to the throne.

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    Since the latest gazette was made public earlier in the month, concern has been growing over the chances of the former governor to mount the throne whenever it becomes vacant.

    The Nation gathered that the Otun Olubadan has been consulting far and wide, while his followers within the Olubadan chieftaincy system and the larger city have been encouraging him to accept the crown in order not to miss enthronement.

    The pressure on the former governor is almost sure to force him to backtrack on his avowed opposition to the crowning.

    Though some loyalists to the former governor have been accusing Governor Seyi Makinde of deliberately sponsoring the review, which created a roadblock for Ladoja from mounting the Olubadan throne, his media adviser, Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, explained on a radio programme at the weekend that review of chieftaincy declarations are undertaken by only traditional rulers, not the governor.

    He said the review in question was undertaken by Oba Balogun and supported by high chiefs, adding that the state government only gazetted it.

  • Olubadan: Ex-Onido hails Ladoja for withdrawing suit

    Olubadan: Ex-Onido hails Ladoja for withdrawing suit

    A former Onido of Ido, Chief Benjamin Ishola, has hailed the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Rashidi Ladoja, for withdrawing his suit against other high chiefs to pave the way for enthronement of a new Olubadan.

    Ladoja withdrew his suit against other high chiefs who are crown-wearing to clear the way for Oba Owolabi Olakulehin to mount the throne as the next Olubadan of Ibadan.

    There was a succession logjam after the demise of the late Oba Lekan Balogun in March. But Ladoja’s decision to withdraw his suit resolved the logjam.

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    According to Chief Ishola, Ladoja displayed great magnanimity and patriotism by withdrawing the case against the Olubadan-in-Council.

    In a statement on behalf of the Orobiyi family of Ido town in Ido Local Government Area, Chief Ishola also congratulated the Olubadan-designate Oba Olakulehin on his nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council.

    He prayed the reign of Oba Olakulehin will be peaceful and bring progress and sustainable development to Ibadan land.

    “His vast experience and dedication to service will stand Ibadan in good stead during his reign,” he added.

    The Orobiyi family produced the founding fathers of the town.

  • Olubadan: Relief as Ladoja withdraws suit against council

    Olubadan: Relief as Ladoja withdraws suit against council

    …moves to kick-start enthronement of Olakulehin 

    The enthronement process of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on Tuesday got another boost as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja withdrew the suit filed against Olubadan-in-Council.

    By implications, the move further clears the coast for Oba Olakulehin to ascend the throne of his forbears in Ibadanland.

    The Nation reports that Ladoja had gone to Court over an alleged threat to his kingship ambition by other members of the Council, following his refusal to be enthroned as Oba as parts of elevation ofbthe High Chiefs by the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun. 

    The lawsuit had impeded the coronation of Olakulehin whose nomination as the next monarch is awaiting approval of Governor Seyi Makinde.

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    Efforts to make both parties, Ladoja and the Olubadan-in-Council reach a compromise on signing an agreement earlier did not yield result as the defendants in the suit, Olubadan-in-Council had insisted that there is no need for signing any agreement for out of court settlement since they have abided with the 1957 Chieftancy Declaration.

    It would be recall that Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe who spoke on behalf of other members of the Council at the end of their meeting held at Oja’ba recently said since they have complied with the 1957 Chieftancy Declaration there is no need to sign any documents.

    He had insisted that what was left for the enthronement of Oba Olakulehin was for High Chief Ladoja to withdraw the suit filed against members of the Council.

    Confirming the development, one of the aides to Ladoja, Adeola Oloko said the case has been withdrawn from the Court.

    Oloko noted that counsel to the litigant will tomorrow approach the court for enrollment order after which the defendants will be served with the case withdrawal notice.

    He said, “Baba has withdrawn the case filed against the Olubadan-in-Council from the Court.

    “This will facilitate the enthronement of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    “Ladoja has lived up to his promise to the people of Ibadanland to withdraw the case from the Court.

    “There is no longer any delay from his end. What is next now is for the Governor Makinde to approve the nomination of Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan.”