The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has urged the people and friends of Ibadan to use the occasions of his birthday and coronation anniversary to give thanks and offer prayers to God rather than engage in elaborate celebrations.
The monarch made the appeal in a statement issued by his media aide, Chief Adeola Oloko, in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday.
Oba Ladoja will turn 82 on Friday, September 25, while his first anniversary on the Olubadan throne will be marked the following day, Saturday, September 26.
The Olubadan said he had chosen to mark the twin occasions by giving thanks to God and praying for himself, the Ibadan Traditional Institution, Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria.
He urged residents, friends and well-wishers to adopt the same approach by using the occasions to pray for the future.
“Those who love us, and Ibadan should please join us in giving thanks to God, and in committing the years ahead into His hands,” he said.
“Therefore, I want to implore the people and friends of Ibadan to use the twin occasions of my birthday and coronation anniversary to give thanks and offer prayers to God, rather than resort to elaborate merriment.”
The monarch also expressed appreciation to the people of Ibadan for their cooperation and support during his first year on the throne.
“I want to appreciate the people for their co-operation and support over the past year, and I am promising that the future would be better and more glorious than the present, as the joy of the living is in the hope for better things,” he said.
Oba Ladoja further appealed to friends and well-wishers of the Olubadan Palace to extend their generosity to people facing difficult circumstances during the celebrations and beyond.
He specifically encouraged them to support motherless babies’ homes of their choice so that vulnerable children could also benefit from the spirit of the occasions.
