Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, has performed his first official duty as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, with the crowning of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rasidi Ladoja as one of the beaded crown Obas in the ancient city.
The event, which took place at the new Olubadan palace located at Oke Aremo in Ibadan North Local Government Area, was attended by the acting Governor of the state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, who presented the staff of office and certificate to the newly crowned monarch on behalf of the state government.
Also in attendance were members of the Olubadan-in-Council, family heads, political office holders and well-wishers.
Olubadan, the consenting authority who crowned Oba Rasidi Ladoja and had earlier presided over the first Olubadan – in the Council meeting of his tenure, used the opportunity to congratulate the people of Ibadan land on the renewed unity amongst Ibadan Kingmakers, which will translate to peace, progress and development in the land.
“With the coronation of Oba Rasidi 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.
In his speech, the acting governor, Adebayo Lawal, congratulated and commended the people of Ibadan for this development, stressing that the state government was committed to strengthening the traditional institutions in the state to a pace-setting status worthy of emulation in the country.
The newly crowned monarch, Ladoja in his response, noted that the people of Ibadan were one and have ways of settling their misunderstanding.
“They said we should do it how it should be done. Ibadan is capable of doing its own thing. We have ways of doing our things. Once we enter the inner chamber, we must realise that things will change. All the problems are as a result of misunderstanding”.
It would be recalled that Oba Ladoja had earlier refused to accept the beaded crown of the Ajimobi and Makinde administrations alongside his fellow High Chiefs until the recently amended and gazetted Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration by the Seyi Makinde administration, which declares that only a beaded crown Oba can become the Olubadan of Ibadan.
After receiving his beaded crown as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan from the Olubadan, 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.
After all his reservations and uncertainties were addressed, Ladoja also agreed to take the crown.
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.’’
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