By Oluseye Ojo
Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, was agog on Friday as Governor Seyi Makinde presented staff of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at the Mapo Hall Arcade, in the heart of the city.
The ceremony, which was held amid watertight security, had dignitaries from all walks of life in attendance. They included serving and former political office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, leaders of thoughts and opinions.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, after completing the mandatory traditional rites at the Labosinde Quarters, and Ose Meji Quarters, where he was crowned, proceeded to the Mapo Hall Arcade to receive staff of office from Governor Makinde, who presented instruments of office to him at 2:45pm.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented President Bola Tinubu. The Chairman of Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, graced the ceremony.
Tinubu, in his address, noted that the system of ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland is a role model that Nigeria as a country, and different communities in the nation can study and learn from it.
He described the installation of new Olubadan as another epoch in the history of the highly regarded traditional institution in Yorubaland and indeed in Nigeria at large.
“What we are celebrating today is not just the ascension of Oba Olakulehin to the throne of Olubadan, the nation remains grateful to this abiding legacy of Olubadan chieftaincy,” which, according to him, conveys the wisdom of stability and rancour-free succession to the throne since Ibadan came to be in 1851.
“The whole country can learn from this rancour-free, non-controversial, trouble-free Ibadan history. It is indeed a role model for other communities in our land,” Tinubu stated.
The host governor, Seyi Makinde, who congratulated all the sons and daughters of Ibadan and the new king prayed that God would make the reign of the new Olubadan peaceful.
The Chairman of Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who spoke on behalf of all the 17 governors in the region, noted that the ceremony marked a significant milestone in the rich history and cultural heritage of Ibadan.
On the occasion, the deputy governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, represented Governor Ademola Adeleke; deputy governor of Ondo State, Olayide Adelami, represented Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa; while the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented by his Chief of Staff.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; former Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Sunday Ola-Makinde; Otun Olubadan and a former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja; former military administrator of Oyo State, Oladayo Popoola; wife of former governor of Oyo State, Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Alhaji Ajeniyi Ajewole, were also among the dignitaries in attendance.