*Storms Ibadan For Coronation Rites
From Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Olubadan-designate, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, said it is a rigorous process to become Ibadan’s monarch.
He also sued for peaceful co-existence in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large “for meaningful development
to take place.”
The Olubadan-designate appealed to both the political leaders and the ruled to have the interest of “our dear country at heart,” adding that all should support the political leaders at local, state and federal levels “so as to have the Nigeria of our dream.”
According to the former Oyo State Governor, Oba Ladoja, the present traditional leadership in Ibadan solicited the support of indigenes, non-indigenes as well as all residents in Ibadanland, so as to move Ibadanland to a greater and enviable height.
In his maiden speech to journalists and well wishers at his residence, Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan, Oba Ladoja appreciated Almighty God for sparing his life to fulfill his destiny of becoming the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Only God chooses Olubadan. The choice of Olubadan is not by power, might, riches or wisdom, but by God.
“My becoming Olubadan of Ibadanland is God’s ordained, considering the challenges faced before reaching the pinnacle of Ibadan traditional rulership,” he revealed.
Expressing sadness on the demise of his predecessor, the late Oba (Dr.) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1), Oba Ladoja consoled the people of Ibadanland and urged them to take solace in the fact that Oba Olakulehin lived a fulfilled life as his reign witnessed unprecedented peaceful co-existence, unity and developmental projects.
The Olubadan-designate appreciated members of Olubadan Advisory Council for his nomination as Olubadan-designate and the cordial relationship existing between them.
He expressed his unalloyed gratitude to other chiefs, mogajis, baales and the mammoth crowd that came out to welcome him, assuring them that peace, progress and monumental development that they were yearning for would be surely provided.
Earlier, Ladoja had arrived Ibadan, the state capital, to kick off his coronation rites.
On arrival, he went straight to his family house in Born Photo, Isale-Osi, Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state.
He was expected to proceed to his Ondo Street private residence in badan North Local Government Area of the state, shortly after.
When contacted in Ibadan on Monday, August 18, media aide to the 44th Olubadan, Adeola Oloko, confirmed that Ladoja was already in Ibadan.
“The 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja, is in town right now. He is at Isale-Osi. From here, we are moving to his house at Bodija,” Oloko confirmed.
Recall that members of the Olubadan-In-Council had unanimously nominated and approved Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan during their meeting on Monday, April 4, after the 21-day mourning period in honour of the late Oba Olakulehin.
The new Olubadan was not in attendance during the meeting held at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo in Ibadan.
The formal confirmation of his ascension now rests with the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who is expected to ratify the Council’s decision and set a date for the presentation of the staff of office.
