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Tag: Olubadan

  • Ibadan Obas to Olubadan: you’re denigrating Olubadan stool

    Indication emerged yesterday that the rift between the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the promoted Obas in Ibadanland constituting the Olubadan-in-Council may have further worsened.

    The aggrieved Ibadan Obas accused the Olubadan of denigrating the Olubadan institution by what they described as “illegal practices and apparent lack of regards for the council”.

    The Olubadan-in-Council, speaking through the Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, after a meeting held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan yesterday, said the actions of the paramount ruler called for urgent caution to forestall crisis.

    Oba Balogun, who lamented the crisis within the traditional council since the promotion of the new Obas, said it was sad that the Olubadan is destroying the system that brought him to the throne as a king.

    He said rather than recognise the position of the Olubadan-in-Council, Oba Adetunji conferred the duties of the entire council on one of his wives, who rules by proxy.

    Oba Balogun said: “We want to draw the attention of the people of Ibadan to some irregularities and illegalities embarked upon by the Olubadan. We are members of the Olubadan-in-Council, but we are being sidelined by the Olubadan.

    “Against tradition, Oba Saliu is running a one-man show, disregarding the Council. He appoints Mogajis (family heads) and Baales (village heads) without making any recourse to the council. Most of the things that he does are illegal.

    “For instance, the Olori is not a member of the Olubadan-in-Council but in his own case, the Olori unilaterally takes decisions on his behalf.

    “If Olubadan thinks we do not matter, we also can show that he doesn’t matter without us. He should not forget that when he was to be made the Olubadan, he rose through the council. We (the Olubadan-in-Council) made Olubadan out of him, he did not make us what we are, but we made him the Olubadan.

    “Kabiyesi, Oba Adetunji has turned the institution of Olubadan into personal affairs, which can be run at his wife’s whims and caprices, but which amounts to illegality. Contrary to their belief at the Popoyemoja Palace that Olubadan is an authority unto himself, we are telling the whole world that Olubadan only exists with his council.

    REad also: Olubadan: new Iyalode to be installed soon

    “The danger of what they are doing in the palace has been manifesting in the ridiculous action of appointing two or more Mogajis from the same compound, honouring people with Mogaji title based on friendship as well as ‘cash and carry’ award of Baales to undeserving people.”

    Contributing to the Obas’ submission, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Oba Hamidu Ajibade said there had been efforts by both individuals and organisations to ensure that peace reigns in the Olubadan-in-Council, but lamented that all such efforts had been scuttled by the wife of Kabiyesi (Olori Rasheedat), who insisted that her husband would not sit with his members of council.

    The Obas warned the newly installed Mogajis and Baales in Ibadan not to see their appointment as legal, saying that “their installations should be backed by the council before being recognized”.

    The aggrieved Obas were installed as crown-wearing Obas by the Subsidiary Legislation of Recognised Chieftaincies (Miscellaneous Provision) order on Page 389 Cap 28 section 1, 2, and 3 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State.

    With their installation as traditional Obas on August 28, 2017, the members of the Olubadan-in-Council are expected to perform dual roles as lesser Obas and as well perform their roles as the highest advisory body to the Olubadan.

    Among the other Obas in attendance were Oba Eddy Oyewole, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe.

  • Olubadan loses mother-in-law

    Alhaja Abibat Baoku, the mother-in-law of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, =is dead.

    Alhaja Baoku, 97, died yesterday at her College Crescent, Ibadan home.

    She was a renowned trader and wife of First Republic politician, Chief R. S. B. Baoku.

    A statement yesterday by the Personal Assistance/Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, said the late Alhaja Baoku is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Among her children are: Messer Muniru Baoku, Olori Rasheedat Alolade Baoku and Mr. Ganiyu Baoku.

    She was buried yesterday according to Islamic rites at 4 p.m at her home.

  • Sanusi, Olubadan to govt: stop using monarchs as ‘fire fighters’

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji have urged the Federal Government to assign traditional rulers participatory roles in decision and policy-making processes.

    The two foremost monarchs said the days of politicians using traditional rulers to get what they wanted were gone.

    According to them, the Federal Government must desist from using traditional rulers as “fire fighters”.

    They spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when the Emir visited the Olubadan at his palace.

    Sanusi, who expressed delight at his first visit to the Olubadan since his enthronement over two years ago, prayed for longevity and sound health for the 90-year-old monarch.

    The Emir said the Olubadan is a unique personality.

    He called for greater roles for traditional rulers in governance to make the country attain greater heights.

    Recalling the giant strides of some industrious sons of Ibadan in the development of the ancient city, the Emir praised the late Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao and the late Ibadan politician, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu (aka Penkelemess) for their immense contributions to the growth and development of Ibadan.

    Oba Adetunji urged the Federal Government to accord dignified roles to monarchs in the governance of the country.

    The Olubadan, who spoke through one of his chiefs, the Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, described the role of traditional rulers as crucial to peace, development and unification of ethnic nationalities that formed the entity.

    He said: “I thank you for remembering the memories of Adegoke Adelabu and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao, two great sons of Ibadan. I want to mention that Ibadan is also a city of commerce, like Kano; a city of the valiant and people of courage, hospitality and vision, too numerous to mention.

    “I thank you also for mentioning the former Executive Director of First Bank and Deputy Director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who is the grandson of one of Nigeria’s earliest nationalists, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, Penkelemess, Nigeria’s first Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Social Welfare.

    “As you have said, Your Highness, you will continue to wax strong and strong by the grace of God. Your Highness, you also mentioned one of the resolutions at the last meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers in Abuja. I was fortunate to attend the last meeting and the previous one by the grace of the Olubadan. One of the resolutions was the point you raised that traditional rulers should serve not only advisory roles but also participatory roles in policy making and decisions.

    “It was discussed in Abuja that traditional rulers should not be turned to fire fighters.  When there is need for political leadership to get to the people, they will turn to palaces.

    “When they want to do a national consensus, like population census, like vaccinations, then they will go to palaces, they will turn to the kabiyesi, emirs, obis and so on to reach the people. So, that is also noted…”

  • Olubadan to Olakulehin: you’re rude, reckless

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has said a statement credited to High Chief Owowlabi Olakulehin that the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, was misleading him is rude and reckless.

    The monarch said someone who will make him recognise “illegal crowns and cheap royalties” had not been born.

    Oba Adetunji spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while welcoming to his palace members of Mesiogo Movement, a socio-cultural club of Ibadan indigenes who complained about the alleged disparaging statement of High Chief Olakulehin in a newspaper last Sunday.

    The monarch, who hailed the youths, noted that a peaceful resolution on Ibadan chieftaincy dispute should centre around the Oyo State High Court judgment delivered by Justice Olajumoke Aiki, which declared the review as unconstitutional and illegal.

    He stressed that while the embattled high chiefs were begging for “the rule of self-help, we are asking for the rule of law”.

    Oba Adetunjis aid decorum is a characteristic of serving and ex-service men but regretted that “despite his military background, the fellow called Olakulehin has not been displaying discipline expected of his high office”.

    He added: “Balogun Olakulehin remains the most troublesome and verbally reckless member of the Olubadan-in-Council till date with unenviable records of quarrels with High Chief Amidu Ajibade, the late High Chief Femi Olaifa, the Iyalode of Ibadan, High Chief Aminat Abiodun and now High Chief Rasidi Ladoja. In the same interview, he insulted the Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Biodun Kola-Daisi.”

    The first-class monarch said he was not surprised that Olakulehin supplanted the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, in the same crown-wearing camp to assume the leadership of the group without regard for seniority.

    He said: “At over 80, do we need to tell Balogun Olakulehin that you can make your point without insulting your elders?”

    Oba Adetunji, who warned the crown-wearing baales not to use the Ibadan Traditional Council crisis to illegally install chiefs without the consent of the Olubadan, added that every illegality committed today would be taken up and dealt with according to the law someday.

  • Ibadan agog as Olubadan 90th birthday celebration begins today

    The 90th birthday celebration of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, begins today (Sunday) with an interdenominational service at the Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace of the monarch.

    The service is to kickstart a weeklong activities lined up to celebrate the first class monarch.

    Over 120 traditional rulers and prominent individuals from different parts of the country have expressed interest in honouring the monarch with their presence at various programmes.

    Additionally, prominent individuals including Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Wale Babalakin among others will also be honouring the monarch with their presence.

    The Presiding Bishop, Sword of Spirit Ministries, Francis Wale-Oke will minister at the service which is expected to be attended by the  royal family, Ibadan indigenes, friends of Ibadanland amongst others.

    To make the birthday anniversary a memorable one, Oba Adetunji will be offering free medical services to patients suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes at 50 centres across the 11 local governments in Ibadanland.

    Oba Adetunji who was installed the 41st Olubadan on March 4, 2016 will clock 90 years on August 26.

    Giving a nod to the celebration, the Olubadan said he would use the occasion to celebrate Ibadan, its diverse people and the unity of Nigeria as a whole, saying, “to live long is not a right but privilege. Even though I am from a family with an impressive record of longevity, my Late Dad Raji Olayiwola died in 1989 at the age of 89.

    “God shall be praised for making me live beyond my father’s age. My intention is to use my birthday anniversary to celebrate Ibadan and its diverse people and pray for unity and stability of Nigeria.”

    Activities outlined for the celebration include Islamic services, medical outreach, Life Tribute day, film show, and distribution of food items to the needy by the monarch.

    Other activities include, a royal walk, public lecture, visit to orphanages and charity hones, conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles to deserving persons with a grand birthday reception to be held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.

    The planning committee chairman, Professor Taoheed Adedoja while giving a breakdown of the weeklong event said the goodwill and image of the Olubadan made it easy for the three week old committee to have achieved so much in terms of planning.

    He said beyond the number of invitations sent out, thousands of individuals from different parts of the country and beyond have expressed interest to participate, felicitate with and honour the revered monarch.

    He said for the medical outreach, at least 250 medical personnel have agreed to give free medical attention to indigenes in 50 various centres across the ancient city, noting that each centre is to be manned by at least five medical professionals.

    He said test would be conducted in the areas of blood pressure, blood glucose, weight and general medical counselling for the indigenes and people in need of medical attention.

     

     

     

     

  • Truce as Olubadan, other obas meet at palace

    After over one year of muscle-flexing on the review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, members of the Olubadan-In-Council yesterday met at the palace of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    The high chiefs, who have been elevated to the rank of obas, met with the top monarch at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace.

    The royal fathers had been locked in a battle over the review since the enthronement of members of the council by the state government in August last year.

    The new obas jettisoned the palace for regular meetings and opted for Mapo Hall as their new venue.

    But Oba Saliu did not join them at the historic hall, insisting that his palace is the right place to hold such meetings.

    He also did not recognise their new ranks, saying they remained high chiefs.

    But Ibadan elders and the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), last week, facilitated a resolution of the crisis.

    One of the high chiefs and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja was said to have played a huge role in the reconciliation.

    Ladoja, who is the Osi Olubadan, as well as Oba Lekan Balogun, who is the Otun Olubadan, had met with Oba Adetunji at the Popoyemoja palace at the weekend, a sign of true reconciliation after one year.

    The decision for yesterday’s meeting was said to have been taken at the three-man meeting.

    The Nation gathered that the new obas arrived the palace at noon but Oba Adetunji reportedly did not meet them until about two hours later.

    When he surfaced, a source told The Nation, the monarch told them that he would not like to hold the meeting without Ladoja and the Iyalode of Ibadan, Chief Mrs Aminat Abiodun.

    The source added that Ladoja had hinted the monarch that he would not attend the meeting due to a more pressing engagement.

    The visit signalled the imminent end of the one-year crisis.

  • Truce between Olubadan, high chiefs excites mogajis

    The authentic mogajis in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have expressed optimism that the crisis between the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Olatunji, and some of his high chiefs over their controversial beaded crowns will soon be resolved.

    This followed the recent truce brokered by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    The former governor, who is the only Ibadan high chief who the rejected government’s beaded crown, had challenged and won at the State High Court the controversial elevation of Ibadan high chiefs to beaded crown-wearing obas.

    The state government has since appealed the High Court judgment, which nullified the Review of the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the spokesman of the authentic mogajis, Chief Wale Oladoja, said the mogajis and other true sons and daughters of the city received the news of the truce with excitement.

    The statement said the reconciliation kick-started by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) with the support of elder statesman, Dr. Lekan Are, had borne worthy fruits.

    Oladoja, who is a former Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, hailed Oba Adetunji for his abiding faith in the tradition and unwavering stance since August, last year, when the state government elevated the high chiefs and some baales to crown-wearing and coronet-bearing kings.

    The authentic mogajis also hailed the concerned high chiefs for retracing their steps and allowing amicable resolution of the crisis, especially the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun; High Chief Eddy Oyewole and High Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi, who were elevated to crown-wearing status by the government.

    Oladoja recalled that last year’s coronation of the high chiefs and baales had further reinforced the mogajis’ belief that leading traditional rulers, like Ibadan high chiefs, who are the custodians of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan, should not dabble in partisan politics because of their standings in the society.

    On next year’s general elections, the mogajis urged the concerned chiefs to exercise restraints on political issues.

    They noted that as family heads, who daily witness how the mass of their people yearn for greater democratic dividends, they would work with well-spirited candidate to engender good governance in line with the dream of the founding fathers of Ibadan and other parts of the state.

  • Olubadan: I want to celebrate my 90th birthday

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, has said though it is not in his character to celebrate birthdays, he is proposing to celebrate his 90th birthday anniversary on August 26 because his late father, who died in 1989, did not live to be 90.

    The first-class monarch announced this yesterday at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace while inaugurating a 16-member birthday anniversary committee, led by former Minister of Special Duties and Sport, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

    Oba Adetunji, who said to live long is not a right but a privilege, added that his intention is to use the birthday anniversary to celebrate Ibadan and its diverse people and pray for the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    The Olubadan stressed that even though he is from a family with an impressive record of longevity, his late dad, Raji Olayiwola, who died in 1989, died at 89.

    He said God should be praised for making him live beyond his father’s age.

    Oba Adetunji noted that the responsibility ahead of the birthday anniversary committee is onerous, said he was confident in the integrity of the committee members.

    Besides Prof. Adedoja, other members of the committee are: Niyi Ajewole, Personal Assistant to Olubadan, Mr. Adeola Oloko, Lere Adigun, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji, Alhaji Rasheed Oladejo and Alhaja Simiat Adeleke Larodo.

    Others are: Mr. Lateef Gbadamosi, Comrade Yinka Akinpelu, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, Prince Lanre Ogundipe, Chief Waheed Ekun, Mr. Olajide Laniyonu and representative of the apex body of Ibadan indigenes, the CCII, Mr. Ademola Alabi and Mrs Laide Gesinde and the representative of Oyo State government.

    Adedoja expressed gratitude to the monarch for the confidence reposed in his committee.

    He promised that it would do its job in line with its mandate.

  • Olubadan to govt: respect chieftaincy law

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, has urged the public to perish the thought that the controversial approval of beaded crowns by the Oyo State government to Ibadan high chiefs and baales is irreversible.

    The frontline monarch stressed that “our case against the state government is alive”.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by his Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Public Affairs, the Olubadan urged Governor Abiola Ajimobi to be mindful of the court on the controversial chieftaincy review and respect the rule of law.

    Apparently reacting to a statement credited to Ajimobi while distributing cars to 36 traditional rulers, Oba Adetunji recalled that a judgment delivered  by Justice Aiki of the Oyo State High Court had declared the chieftaincy reform illegal, null and void.

    He said: “Afterwards, the Oyo State government decided to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal. My position is that if a case is in court, it is no longer open for discussion, as this statement is automatically subjudice. If it is not reversible, why did the two parties have to go to court?”

    Oba Adetunji also faulted the statement that the controversy which followed the crowning of Ibadan traditional rulers was political, saying the issue raised is customary and traditional.

    He said: “My humble opinion is that the procedure for approval of beaded crowns for any chief or baale in Ibadan was not discussed at the Olubadan-in-Council level. If it was discussed, how would any of the high chiefs bear two titles at the same time? Oba and high chief! An abomination!”

    The Olubadan, who said though he did not oppose the government’s presentation of cars to traditional rulers, urged Ajimobi to prevail on the kings to release the 11-month salaries of palace workers they have allegedly been withholding with Olubadan’s salary cheques, when the allocations to traditional councils had been released.

    According to him, it is to avoid a breakdown of law and order in Ibadan and beyond he had maintained dignified silence.

    Oba Adetunji noted that if the motive behind the reform was to modernise tradition, the move had bred indiscipline and what he called “gangsterism”.

    The Olubadan recalled what he called a failed attempt by “the so-called new kings, backed by the Oyo State government, to undermine the authority of the Olubadan, who decreed ‘no masquerade dance’”.

    He added: “Even when all masqueraders under the leadership of the Olori Alagbaa, Baale Labala and Aare Isese of Ibadan complied with the order, the state government with one of its commissioners went on propaganda spree, saying the Olubadan’s order had been disobeyed as masquerades danced in one of the embattled high chief’s compound.

    “We told them to produce the pictures on newspaper pages or television screen. Was Atipako there? Was Alapansanpa there? Was Olunlade there? Was Oloolu there?”

    On the purported statement credited to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, decrying long-term reservation of Ibadan to have more monarchs, Oba Adetunji advised the Oyo top monarch to recommend his high chiefs to become crown-wearing obas, if it was so desirable.

     

  • Masqueraders: Olubadan, Obas row deepens

    The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, and the Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday quarrelled over the foremost monarch’s directive that no masquerade should dance in the home of any high chief, now beaded crown-wearing obas.

    It was learnt that though the Olubadan expressed satisfaction with the compliance of his directive banning masquerade dance in the family compound of his estranged high chiefs until further notice, he was said to have accused Oba Balogun of violating the order.

    The foremost monarch in Ibadan said he had no regret issuing the royal directive.

    Oba Balogun had described the monarch’s directive as misuse of power.

    He also threatened to have a masquerade dance in his compound, contrary to Olubadan’s directive.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by his Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mr Adeola Oloko, the Olubadan described Oba Balogun’s claim that he (Oba Balogun) hosted a masquerade show in his compound as empty and deceitful.

    The foremost oba said the Egungun Festival purportedly staged at a location in Alli Iwo (Oba Balogun’s compound) was not authentic.

    He urged the residents to beware of falsehood.

    According to him, when some masqueraders paid homage to him at his palace last Monday, there were photographs that could be verified in the papers and the names of those at the outing were there.

    Oba Adetunji said: “Where are their photographs? What are the names of the masqueraders?

    “Even Atipako, the leading masquerade, who was reported to have honoured High Chief Lekan Balogun, was not there as the Atipako family of Kobomoje in Ibadan had issued a disclaimer.

    “Part of the text, dated June 21, addressed to the Olubadan and signed by Tajudeen Oladimeji and Kazim Atipako, the Abe’ja and Eleru Atipako, reads: ‘We, the undersigned and entire members of Atipako family, did not in any way disobey the directive of the Olubadan. We did not attend a masquerade dance nor performed any ritual for the Otun Olubadan, as reported in some quarters. One woman, Rashidat, who is claiming to be one of us, is not a member of our family and was not sent to anybody. Therefore, as a woman, she is not permitted to perform any ritual.’”

    Expressing appreciation to the masqueraders for carrying out the royal directive to the letter, the Olubadan said the make-belief being created was a price for rebellion.

    The eminent monarch said the people of Ibadan had spoken.