The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olubadan

  • Olubadan lauds Globacom

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, has praised a telecommunications firm, Globacom, for its support for the preservation of culture and the sponsorship of Oke’badan festival.

    The monarch, who was represented by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Eddie Oyewole Foko, said the Oke’badan festival is to commemorate the protection and blessings which the founders of Ibadanland received from the hills during internecine wars with other communities.

    He described the festival as a vehicle for the re-telling of Ibadan history, “which we are determined to pass on to our children the same way our fathers passed it down to us”.

    The custodian of the festival and Aboke of Ibadanland, Chief Fasola Ifamapowa, said Oke ‘Badan is celebrated in commemoration of the life and times of one of the forebears of Ibadanland,  Lagelu, and the noble roles of the early rulers of Ibadan, including Labosinde, Maye, Oluyole, Oderinlo, Opeagbe, Oluyedun and Lakanle and their acts of bravery which culminated in the founding of Ibadanland.

    The week-long celebration will feature the Glo musical fiesta during which Fuji maestro, Osupa Saheed, will thrill fun lovers in an all-night event; town parade, cultural ceremonies, and homage to the centenarian Oba Odulana.

  • Olubadan to get N400m palace

    Olubadan to get N400m palace

    OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi led the turning of the sod of the new palace of Olubadan yesterday, with a message that Nigerians should always value their traditional institutions.

    The first phase of the palace construction will cost N400 million to be completed within six months.

     The governor, at the event which took place at Oke-Aremo in the heart of the state capital last Wednesday, said Ibadan indigenes were unique for their rich culture. He noted that this has reflected in their way of life.

    The governor, in a sense of humour, demanded that the Olubadan honour him with the title of ‘Koseleri of Ibadanland’ when the new palace is completed.

    He noted that he would have broken the second term jinx by then.

    He urged politicians to desist from politics of bitterness, adding that they should give room for criticism to perform better.

    Ajimobi added that his administration has brought a human face and the fear of God in running the state in the last three years.

    The governor said his administration’s vision and mission have been pressed on the tripod of transformation, restoration and repositioning to achieve the desired goal of a rapid development.

    He said the development, which his government had brought to improve the living standard of the people, had been achieved without inflicting any pain on the people.

    On the rumours being peddled by the opposition that his administration had been demolishing shops and other means of livelihood of the people of the state, he said the only structures that his government ever removed were those trading by the roadsides, which were against his administration’s urban renewal and environmental sanitation programmes.

    Ajimobi said it was done to ensure the environmental, health and safety of the people.

    In his remark, the Chairman, Olubadan Palace Committee, Chief Bayo Oyero, said the first phase of the palace construction will cost N400 million and will be completed within the next six months.

    “I want to thank Governor Ajimobi for his encouragement and support for this project. It is worthy to put on record that 50 per cent of fund raised so far has come from the links which we access through him.

    “Ibadan royalty and the generality of Ibadanw will never forget the role you play in the making of this history of befitting palace for our monarch. It is our plan that at the completion of the Palace complex, we will establish a Roll of Honours, where your name will be the number one,” Oyero said

    Dignitaries present at the event were Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade Odulana I, who was represented by Prof Femi Lana, Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Aminat Abiodun, Chief Bayo Akande, Ambassador Olu Saanu, Chief Kola Daisi, Chief Bode Amoo, Chief K.O Olatunji, among others.

  • Olubadan stable after surgery

    Olubadan stable after surgery

    There was anxiety yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the state of health of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

    The palace was besieged by concerned people, including chiefs. The palace had a hectic time handling telephone calls over fears on the monarch’s health.

    The 40th Olubadan turned 100 last April. There were ceremonies to mark the centenary, one of which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    It was, however, gathered that the Oba was at the private suite at the University College Hospital (UCH), recuperating from a surgery he underwent on Sunday.

    It was also gathered  that the monarch underwent surgery for a urinary ailment.

    The Personal Assistant to the monarch, Chief Isiaka Akinpelu, in a text message, said: “The reigning Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 is hale and hearty, contrary to the rumour circulating around. In fact, I was with Kabiyesi this morning when he was taking his breakfast. Please ignore all the rumours.”

    Prof Femi Lana, the first son of the Olubadan of Ibadan, said:  “I was shocked to hear the rumour. My brother, Gbade, who is the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, called me later and said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi had also heard the rumour. I told them it was a lie. The governor told me later that we should not add to the false report by taking any major step to quash it. But the truth is that people should get their facts right before spreading reports.”

    UCH spokesman  Mr Toye Akinrinlola also confirmed that the monarch was admitted at the hospital. He said he was hale and hearty.

    It was learnt that the monarch had been taking ill regularly before he was admitted for surgery.

    Oba Odulana was enthroned on August 17, 2007.

  • Jonathan to attend centenary celebration for Olubadan

    Jonathan to attend centenary celebration for Olubadan

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to be at a church service as part of the activities marking the centenary birthday celebration of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odugade, to be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan on April 14. The Senate President, David Mark and his wife, Randa, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and an historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, will be honoured with chieftaincy titles by the monarch. The Eldest son of the monarch, Prof Femi Lana, made the disclosure yesterday at a media briefing to herald the one-week, adding that the celebration will start on April 14 with a church service and paying of homage by the three lines of Olubadan, Mogajis and Baales. Prince Lana stated that: “Their selection was made after consultation with the Olubadan-in-Council and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes. Mark is Nigeria’s number three personality who believes in the unity of the nation. Soyinka and Falola have excelled in their line and well known for their good work all over the world. They all deserve the honour. Soyinka started from Ibadan, the intellectual capital of Nigeria while Falola, who resides in the US wrote a great book on Ibadan land”. The Aare Alasa of Ibadan land, Chief Lekan Alabi, who is the chairman of the publicity committee of the anniversary, pointed out the importance of Ibadan in the history of Nigeria, saying that the city had scored many firsts and won recognition for its vast cultural status and for producing great men that had contributed to world history. He said: “Don’t forget that the first television station in Africa was built in Ibadan. In fact, long before France conceptualized the idea. The first stadium in Nigeria was built here among many others. The Olubadan is celebrating a unique birthday and it is worthy to make it big.” Head of the Aboderin family in Ibadan, Olutunde Aboderin, who is the chairman of the marketing committee for the centenary celebration, said the importance of the celebration was more projected because it coincided with the celebration of the nation’s centenary.

  • Jonathan holds Olubadan in high esteem – Presidency

    Jonathan holds Olubadan in high esteem – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday declared that President Goodluck Jonathan holds the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Odulana Odugade, and people of the South West in very high esteem.

    The Olubadan in a statement had accused the President ‎of disregarding the Olubadan stool by passing through Ibadan to see the Alaafin of Oyo without stopping to see him.

    Briefing State House correspondents on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the President was not scheduled to visit the Olubadan on that particular visit.

    But he said that there is a planned visit to the Olubadan in the next few weeks.

    He said, “The report that appears in sections of the media quoting a statement that was issued by the Olubadan in Council with regards to the recent visit to the South West by President Jonathan. Olubadan in that statement was alleged to have accused the President ‎of disregarding the Olubadan stool, that he passed through Ibadan without stopping by to see the Olubadan and then went on to Oyo to see the Alaafin of Oyo.”

    “And that by reckoning of Olubadan in Council, this suggests that the President gives more recognition to the Alaafin of Oyo. Somewhere in the statement he made mention of the chairmanship of the traditional council.”

    “Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the President holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo State and the people of the South West in general in very high esteem.”

     

  • Jonathan’s visit to Alaafin an affront to me, says Olubadan

    Jonathan’s visit to Alaafin an affront to me, says Olubadan

    The Olubadan, Oba Odulana Odugade, yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the Alaafin is selective and capable of jeopardising the peace and bringing the Ibadan chieftaincy institution to disrepute.

    In a statement by the Secretary of the Oyo State Council of Obas, the Olubadan said while members of the council awaited the president’s arrival, Jonathan, accompanied by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, breached the protocol of visiting him first as the council’s chairman and went to the palace of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

    He said the action showed that Ajimobi still recognises the Alaafin of Oyo as the permanent chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, contrary to the Chieftaincy Law as amended in 2011 in Cap 37 of the Oyo State Laws, 2000, which says the chairmanship should be rotated among the Alaafin, the Olubadan and Soun of Ogbomoso every two years.

    The Olubadan urged the President and Ajimobi to “desist from misleading acts that can disrupt the peace in the state”.

  • Ibadan indigenes rise for a befitting palace for Olubadan

    Ibadan indigenes rise for a befitting palace for Olubadan

    Ibadan, the largest city in Africa south of the Sahara and the political capital of Southwest, Nigeria has perhaps the highest number of palaces of all the towns and cities in Yoruba land, no thanks to the absence of a central and befitting home for the city’s monarch-the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

    Until the early 1980’s Baales of Ibadan and later, those who ascended the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan land used their residences as the palace. Even when the Olubadan palace was built later on Mapo Hills, only one monarch reigned from there and his successors had to revert to the tradition of ruling from their private home/palace. The incumbent, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, lives at his house at Monatan area of the city.

    The palace at Mapo was considered in adequate and unbefitting of the ruler of a kingdom of no fewer than four million subjects, especially as it was located within the precinct of the popular and riotous Oba’s market (Oja’ba).

    But that is about to change as prominent indigenes of the ancient city rose up at the weekend for the construction of a modern and befitting Olubadan palace, obviously to end the reign of multiple palaces for the same throne.

    The venue was the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba and champions and initiators of the project was the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the umbrella body for indigenes of the city.

    In his opening address, the CCII President, Chief Bayo Oyero who also doubles as the Chairman, Olubadan Palace Fund Raising Committee explained that the launch was expected to give Ibadan a palace of good aesthetics and splendour that befits the status and stature of a monarch ruling over a city with the largest concentration of black people in the world.

    Although Oyero stated that the Olubadan once had a palace at Oja’ba he explained that the former palace on Mapo Hill  is rather choky for present day usage and has no room for expansion, among others challenges.

    “The (new palace) project itself has been broken into three phases, the first phase consist of the living area for Olubadan, royal guest house, ceremonial pavilion, reception block, main gate house, festivities ground, car parks, palace transport pool, power house, police post, fire station, wood land, existing Ibadan house, Olubadan Market, future development, and the gate houses” Oyero said.

    He disclosed that the entire project would cost about N2.5 billion, but that the first phase would gulp about N850 million. Oyero appealed to all Ibadan and non-Ibadan indigenes to donate generously towards the quick completion of the project.

    In his speech, business mogul, Chief Bode Amoo, who was the Chairman of the occasion, recalled that in 1993 when a similar project was launched on behalf of the monarch, only N1 million was realized out of the budgeted N166 million.

    Amoo noted that there was need to build a world-class palace for the Olubadan and urged all and sundry to support the project.

    In his welcome address, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, tasked the Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and all the eleven local government Councils that make up of Ibadanland to contribute to the proposed building of a permanent Olubadan Palace.

    The monarch, who was represented by the Otun Olubadan  Chief Omowale Kuye, also urged the indigenes, non-indigenes and well-wishers alike to support the project in order to protect the traditional heritage of Ibadan.

    “I will be 100 years on years on Monday, April 14, 2014. Today is therefore a momentous and unique occasion for me to witness the whole world gathering here, raising funds for Olubadan’s permanent palace, one of my dream projects in this land” he said

    The monarch called the attention of indigenes to the fact that the owner of a load ought to carry the load where it is heaviest.

    He recalled that when he was installed as the Olubadan seven years ago he pledged to ensure the building of a new permanent and befitting palace for the throne as well as the creation of Ibadan state.

    To this end, he said the need for a new palace was recognised over a decade ago when the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) approached the late Governor of Oyo State, Chief Kolapo Ishola who graciously allocated an extpansive parcel of land at the foot of the Agala forest for the development of the palace.

    Odulana stated that the palace belongs to every Ibadan indigene, stressing that Ibadan is a republican city of warriors and for which any of the sons could be the occupant of the palace in future.

    Responding to the challenge, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, an Ibadan indigene, said the building of the palace is what all the sons and daughters of Ibadan must contribute towards.

    Ajimobi noted that different people from different tribes have gained from the hospitable and accommodating spirit of Ibadanland, adding that all should support the gesture.

    “The urban beatification project of our government will not be completed without the building of a befitting modern palace for the revered Ibadan monarch.

    “This is a reflection of the pride of place in which Ibadan represents in the History of this nation. Ibadan is the home of all the landmark projects of the first republic, therefore it is a quest that we must assist Ibadan to fulfill the goal of modernity”

    In his remark, the former governor of Lagos State and Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC),Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that Yoruba tradition and culture must be respected as it sets us apart from the world and has been earning us respect.

    Tinubu, who was represented by former Minister of Defence, Chief Ademola Seriki described Olubadan as a pride to the Yoruba and Nigeria as well as an achiever who marches on against all odds.

    He went further:” Those who have been claiming that Yoruba have no leaders are hypocrites, mischief makers and rabble rousers who know nothing about Yoruba land and Yoruba people.

    “Under Olubadan’s reign, your people have enjoyed peace and development, and your support for democratic governance and progressivism is highly commendable. We are proud of you and shall continue to support you.”

    During the launching of the project, Ajimobi donated N25 million on behalf of the state government and N20 million from his personal purse, also Olubadan and his Council contributed N20 million. The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) gave N10 million while the chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in Oyo State, Otunba Salimon Oladiti also donated N4million.

    Others are Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin who donated N5 million, the former governor of Oyo State, Chief Omololu Olunloyo  who gave N1million, Splash FM Radio gave N1 million, the 11 local government traditional councils in Ibadan donated N11 million while Ambassador Olusola Saanu N500,000.

    At the end of the fund raising over N150 million was realized.

    Other dignitaries present at the event include Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe: Oloye Lekan Alabi; Oyo State Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu; Prof Akinwumi Ishola; Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Aminat Abiodun; Chief Adebayo Akande and Prof Adeniyi Osuntogun.

    Others include Chief Tunde Aboderin, Mr Areoye Oyebola, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, commissioners in Oyo State and the 11 local government chairmen in Ibadan.

  • Olubadan promotes Ladoja, Kola Daisi, six others

    Olubadan promotes Ladoja, Kola Daisi, six others

    A former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has been elevated by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana, to the rank of Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadan land. He was elevated along with seven other chiefs from their former positions to the next rank, as they climb the ladder towards mounting the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan land. Ladoja was until yesterday, the Ekerin Olubadan. His former rank is now occupied by High Chief Eddy Oyewole, who was the Ekarun Olubadan. Others who were promoted to the next rank yesterday are Chief Abiodun Kola Daisi (Ekarun Olubadan); Chief S. O. Adebale (Ekarun Balogun); Chief Hamidu Ajibade (Abese Olubadan); Chief L. O. G. Akande (Abese Balogun); Chief Samuel Olatinwo (Maye Balogun) and Chief Dr Kolawole Adegbola (Ekefa Balogun).They were all presented with the new ranks in a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan in Monatan area of Ibadan yesterday.

  • Olubadan, others urge development of Ibadan master plan

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade and prominent indigenes of the city yesterday urged a holistic implementation of the Ibadan master plan to foster development.

    They said they believed that only through the development of the Ibadan master plan would the city witness progress.

    They spoke at the 2013 Adegoke Adelabu Memorial Lecture, entitled: ‘Master plan for Ibadan’. It was organised by the Ibadan Foundation.

    The guest lecturer, Prof. Tunde Agbola, noted that despite its status as the largest city in the country, Ibadan has witnessed socio-economic setback due to poor planning.

    Agbola, who described Ibadan as an artefact with human imprint, said: “For any city, the master plan serves as a source of information, a programme for correction, an indicator of goals and a technique for coordination.

    “Ibadan has sore points, hot spots and many blighted areas. The survey stage would have identified these.

    “It seems the whole of Ibadan is one huge slum that deserves a programme of attention. All the local government areas of the city were surveyed and the results were stunning.

    “While the five urban council areas have a concentration of slums, the six rural councils have decaying and deteriorating neighbourhoods.”

    Guest of honour, Seyi Makinde, enjoined the Planning Committee to inaugurate a panel to brainstorm on the issues raised at the forum to create a platform for the master plan.

    He said: “A city can be a playing ground of the rich or the battle ground of the poor. It is only when we plan that the poor can be happy and the rich can safely sleep with two eyes closed. We, therefore, need to plan the city. This calls for the development of a master plan.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Olubadan to honour Ajimobi, wife on Saturday

    Olubadan to honour Ajimobi, wife on Saturday

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, will on Saturday be conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Aare Atunluse and Yeye Aare Atunluse of Ibadanland (the beautifier and restorer of the dignity of Ibadan) by the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.

    The ceremony will hold at the Olubadan’s palace in Monatan, Ibadan, the state capital.

    In a statement yesterday, the governor’s media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the chieftaincy titles were in recognition of Ajimobi’s achievements in two years.

    He said the Ajimobi administration’s urban renewal programme and road projects have transformed Ibadan, which used to be the dirtiest city in Nigeria.

    Eminent personalities from all walks of life are expected at the ceremony.