*Princely Sums Expected As Early Millions Roll In
*Weeklong Celebration
*Live Media Coverage, Others
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) is rallying influential indigenes of the city to support the planned weeklong celebration of new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, who takes crown next Friday as the 44th Olubadan.
President-General of CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, recently inaugurated a committee headed by two of the city’s billionaire businessmen, Engr. Dotun Sanusi and Chief Adegboye Adegoke, to co-chair a team for the celebration.
The Oyo State government had earlier inaugurated a Chief Adebayo Oyero-led committee to work out plans for the Friday, September 26, coronation, in line with its tradition of funding the coronation of first-class traditional rulers in the state.
But the CCII on its own expressed the belief that unlike the previous Olubadans, the current Olubadan-designate, being a successful billionaire businessman, former senator, former governor and elder-statesman, deserved a better celebration.
It, therefore, inaugurated the committee with some frontline Ibadan sons donating N10 million each for the celebration.
The committee picked seven other days apart from the government-pencilled coronation day, to make the celebration a weeklong event.
Not only that, these influential personalities have facilitated live broadcast of the coronation with Arise TV, Channels TV; TVC, Solution FM and Ilaji FM, among other frontline national stations, to beam and air the event live.
Part of the weeklong programme, according to Comrade Demola Babalola and Alhaji Kunle Junaid, who are both co-chairman of the Local Organizing Committee in charge of Media/Publicity Subcommittee, is the Monday, September 22 inter-religious prayer at Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan and a stage play on the progenitor of Kabiyesi Arusa at the Apex Hall, Yidi Agodi area.
There is also Tuesday’s Cultural Day holding at the Olubadan stadium; a first Olubadan coronation lecture to be delivered by renowned Ibadan-born, globally acknowledged historian, Professor Toyin Falola, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
On Thursday, Oba Ladoja will clock 81 years with special programmes for the day, including Islamic prayers at the Olubadan palace by 10:00 a.m. and mega praise and worship at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan starting from 2:00 p.m.
Expectedly, Friday will be the coronation day at Mapo Hall from 9:00 a.m., while the reception organised by the monarch and his family holds at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium from 3:00 p.m.
Later on Sunday, September 28, a thanksgiving service holds at the Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan; and a grand civic reception will follow at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan by 2:00 p.m.
On Friday, October 3rd, there will be Jumaat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba and later on Saturday, October 4th, the traditional worshippers “Isese” will converge at Ose Meji Temple Oja’ba.
PHOTO CAPTION: Oba Ladoja.
