Tag: Olubadan

More dignitaries have arrived at the Mapo for the coronation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Notably, a former governor and prominent member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Senator Rashidi Ladoja arrived at the venue to the admiration of the people at the event.

The absence of Ladoja at the official opening of the ultramodern palace on Wednesday already spared various reactions and speculations from residents.

Read Also: Drums, songs, heavy security as Olubadan coronation begins

But, to the admiration and applause of the people, Ladoja, dressed in his trademark Ankara outfit arrived at the venue at about 1:45 pm

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi also arrived in grand style to the event

Other dignitaries who have arrived include Senator Teslim Folarin, and Niyi Akintola, a member of the Olubadan-in-Council among others

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at Mapo Hall for the coronation of Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin as the 43rd Olubadan of the ancient capital city of Ibadan.

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The president is being represented at the event by the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu.

He arrived in the company of some chieftains of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

The venue has been agog with a series of activities as the dignitaries await the arrival of the Olubadan-designate who has been in seclusion for some days, in preparations for the coronation.

Ahead of the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, has ordered that markets in Ibadanland be closed on Friday, July 11, between 7 am and 2 pm in honour of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin, will be coronated on Friday, July 11, at the historic Mapo Hall.

A statement by Abass stated that the closure of markets was to honour the new monarch and allow for the free flow of traffic in the ancient city.

Read Also: Makinde, Olubadan-Designate commission ultramodern palace

He congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde, sons and daughters of Ibadanland on the coronation.

He, however, said all market traders and leaders are expected at the venue of the presentation of the instrument of office to the new monarch.

Ahead of tomorrow’s coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and his entourage have arrived in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Sultan was received at Ibadan Airport, Alakia by the Deputy of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal.

The sultan and his delegation were in town for the installation and coronation of the 43rd Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The Deputy Governor, who led the government delegation including the Personal assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Akeem Azeez, was equally joined by the Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) Professor Musliu Tayo Yahya; Secretary of Muslim Community of Oyo state, Alhaji Murisiq Bidemi Siyanbade; state coordinator of NACOMYO, Alhaji Daud Afolabi and MSSN PRO (Oyo Branch), Abdul Jeleel Abdul Razak.

Read Also: Makinde, Olubadan-Designate commission ultramodern palace

The sultan of Sokoto’s regular visit to Oyo state is an indication of the state government’s resolute in fostering a cordial relationship among religious adherents in the state.

Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde approved the nomination by the Olubadan-In-Council of Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland and subsequently fixed July 12 for the coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office.

• Makinde, Olubadan-designate open ultramodern palace
• Ajimobi, Amao, others hailed

Despite the torrential rains, dignitaries and residents of Ibadanland yesterday turned out in large number to witness and participate in the inauguration of the ultramodern palace for the Olubadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Chief Bode Amao and members of the Olubadan-in-Council led other dignitaries from all walks of life to the event.

Oba Olakulehin was represented by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, who presented a speech on his behalf.

History is being made with the inauguration of the new palace. Before now, former Olubadans ruled the city from their homes. Oba Olakulehin will become the first Olubadan to rule Ibadan land from the city’s palace.    

The Nation reports that the Olubadan-designate has been in seclusion ahead of Friday’s coronation as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

A former governor of the state, who is also a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, was absent at the event.

The new structure is located at Oke Aremo area of the capital city.

The project was started almost a decade ago.

Oba Olakulehin will be the first Olubadan to live in the palace, as plans have been concluded for him to move into the edifice immediate after his coronation on Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Makinde thanked every indigene who had contributed to make the project a reality.

Particularly, he thanked his predecessor, the late former governor Abiola Ajimobi for what he described as taking the bold step that set the project in motion.

He said the second phase of the palace project would see the renovation of the Bowers Tower, to attract tourists to visit the palace and the state, adding that he would expand the economy of the state through tourism.

He said a maintenance mechanism to ensure the palace is well maintained has also been put in place, with monthly contributions expected from the 11 local government areas in Ibadan.

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The Olubadan-designate said the idea of the palace was conceived nine years ago during the tenure of former governor  Ajimobi.

He noted that ex-governor Ladoja gave approval of the allocation of land for the palace.

He said the story of the palace will not be complete without appreciating the efforts of Governor Makinde.

Some of the dignitaries who attended the event include the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Secretary to State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by his deputy, among other top government functionaries.

Dignitaries from various sectors gathered on Wednesday, July 10, to celebrate and honour the ancient city of Ibadan and the Olubadan stool at the commissioning of the newly built Olubadan Palace.

The new structure is located in the Oke Aremo area of the capital city.

Despite torrential rain, the dignitaries attended the event in large numbers.

Initially scheduled to commence at 10 am, the commissioning was later shifted to 3 pm.

The event is awaiting the arrival of Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

Read Also: Olubadan: endorsement excites lawyer

Some of the dignitaries who have arrived at the Oke Aremo Palace venue include the Deputy Governor,  Seyi Makinde, and top government functionaries.

As of the time of this report, some members of the Olubadan-in-Council have arrived for the event.

Others include Ex-First Lady, Mutiat Ladoja, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, Chief Adebayo Akande and his wife, Chief Mrs Onikepo, former Presidents General of the CCII, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, Senator Kola Baolgun, former Minister of Sports, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, among others.

United States-based lawyer, Chief Owolabi Salis, has praised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for endorsing Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, former lawmaker, as Olubadan of Ibadan. He noted Makinde did not allow any political consideration or prejudicial narrow preferences to tamper with democratic nomination of the Olubadan-in-waiting.
The lawyer-politician, who in 2019, contested for governorship of Lagos State, on platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD), congratulated the nominated Olubadan for his sense of resilience, coupled with the divine grace in becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He prayed that God grants him wisdom, strength and long life, not only to preside over the throne, but also contribute to the growth of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria.
The Ikorodu-born hailed the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law of Royal succession, describing it as the best among other systems and worthy of emulation in view of its inclusivity which entitles every indigenous family to aspire for the throne.

Read Also: All set for inauguration of new Olubadan palace

He described the succession as a salute to the wisdom of the forebears of Ibadanland.
“In a socio-cultural setting in which every family has equal rights and entitlements to royal succession, the all-inclusive arrangement not only brings about a sense of belonging but also prevents a royal superiority complex in which the exclusive royal aristocrats look down on others as inferior…’’