The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Monday, performed his first official duty by elevating the former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, to a beaded-crown wearing oba.
The elevation was in line with the amended Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, which was published in a gazette made available on 12 July, the coronation day of Oba Olakulehin.
The development ended the seven-year stalemate on the Olubadan chieftaincy, as the only opposing voice to the beaded crown took the title of His Royal Majesty and to henceforth bear Oba Ladoja.
The controversies started during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi as he conferred the title of oba on some high chiefs and bales, on 28 August 2017.
The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja had earlier refused to accept the beaded crown until the recently amended and gazetted Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration which declared that only a beaded crown oba could become the Olubadan of Ibadan.
He, however, made a U-turn on Sunday, 4 August, saying he was ready to accept the crown in the interest of Ibadanland.
The ceremony took place at the ultramodern Olubadan palace at Oke-Aremo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.
The Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, speaking on the occasion, said the Makinde-led administration would continue to prioritise efforts that would enhance the status of the royal system in the state and make it a worthy reference point for other southwest states.
He maintained that the occasion put an end to all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded crown in Ibadanland and had shown that the traditional system was capable of reinventing itself without external interference.
Lawal congratulated Oba Ladoja on the acceptance of the beaded crown.
He said, “On behalf of the governor of the state, I greet the people of Ibadan. We thank God that today, all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded crown have come to an end, even without external interference.
“I want to use this avenue to also thank the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigene, the Aare Musulumi of Oyo, Edo and Delta states and other dignitaries here present.
“Ibadan, as we all know, is a city of the elite. If the city is peaceful, we believe the entire Yorubaland will be peaceful.
“In this state, we believe that if we want to make progress, there must be little changes in how things should be done. Part of it is what we are doing here today. We want the royalty, and monarchy to be well-founded and well-established in the state.
“We believe if this is established in the state, it will be a reference point in the entire Yorubaland”, Lawal said.
Presenting the staff of office, the acting governor added: “So, on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, I have the opportunity of presenting the instrument of office to His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the conferment of Obaship on him by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin 1, the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Cap 28 Volume 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, and any other powers in that regard, I confer on you the title of His Royal Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland”.
Upon receiving the beaded crown, staff of office and certificate of office, Oba Ladoja thanked Makinde and the state government for their efforts in ensuring that peace reigned in Ibadanland.
He also appreciated the indigenes of Ibadanland for their support and prayed for the progress of the town and the state.
In attendance were members of the Olubadan-in-Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Daud Shangodoyin; Commissioner for Environment, Mojeed Mogbonjubola; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, Delta states, Daud Akinola; President General of CCII, Ajeniyi Ajewole; former CCII President-General, Bayo Oyero and Nureni Akanbi, among other dignitaries.
