Oyo Governor approves March 11 for installation of new Olubadan

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is to install and present the Staff of Office to Senator Lekan Balogun, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, March 11, 2022.

The date is in line with an earlier recommendation by the Olubadan-in-Council which promised to suggest a time-frame of mid-March to the Governor so that all coronation activities would have been concluded ahead of the forthcoming Ibadan Festival and Ramadan fast, which are scheduled for later in March.

The confirmation of the date for the installation was contained in a letter issued by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju, and addressed to the Olubadan-Designate.

The two paragraph letter with reference number CB.211/10/155 is entitled “Installation Ceremony: Olubadan of Ibadan”. It reads: “I wish to refer to a letter No.IBSELG.243/17 of 16th February, 2022 on the above subject and inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State has approved Friday, 11th of March, 2022 as the date of the Installation of the New Olubadan of Ibadan.

“Once again, Congratulations, Kabiyesi.”

Governor Makinde had on February 14th, 2022, approved the selection of Balogun to assume the exalted Olubadan throne when the position became vacant on Sunday, 2nd January, after the last Olubadan, Saliu Adetunji, joined his ancestors.

A new dawn

Earlier, a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, had appealed to Ibadan indigenes and residents to wait till Oba Balogun is installed before presenting their desires for prompt attention under the new dispensation.

Olakulehin made the appeal at the Alarere residence of the Olubadan designate, Dr Lekan Balogun, while responding to some requests towards the growth, progress and development of Ibadanland made by the Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland, who were at the Olubadan designate’s residence to felicitate him on his emergence.

The High Chief, who lauded the Mogajis for their forward-looking initiatives and their commitment to the Ibadan cause, said the members of the Olubadan-in-Council were earnestly waiting for the inauguration of Dr Balogun, stressing that nothing official could be done until after the installation.

He stated: “We are becoming weary, as you all know that long expectation wearies the heart. Our expectation after our visit to the Governor’s office last Thursday was that the issue of inauguration of our new monarch would be discussed yesterday (Monday), but, here we are, we don’t know what’s going on.

“Those among you that have the governor’s ears can whisper to him that Ibadans are waiting, the whole world is awaiting the new Olubadan and we his Council members are eagerly waiting for the big event”, the Balogun said.

In the letters presented to the new Olubadan and signed by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade (Coordinator), Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori (President, Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland) and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) President-General, Prince Yemisi Adeaga, the leaders said Dr Balogun possesses the ability to make appropriate chieftaincy reformations that would make Ibadan a shinning example.

The Mogajis informed the Olubadan designate and his Council members of their concern about youth restiveness in the metropolis culminating in pockets of the breach of the peace and for which they had, in concert with other stakeholders, founded Ibadan Compounds Peace and Security Initiative.

They described the initiative as their responsive and dutiful responsibility to Ibadanland under the authority of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, saying, “we show a serious commitment in ensuring unity among the people and sustain a peaceful and violent-free environment, most especially among our youths within the city of Ibadan”.

Running background checks

As a way of preventing miscreants from gaining entrance into the Ibadan Traditional system, the Mogajis requested that they be given the power and authority to conduct background check on whoever is being considered for appointment as a Chief in the land, be it traditional or honorary.

They commended the Olubadan and his Council members for the decision to make the appointment of chiefs less financial-inducing, with a prayer that God would grant the new Olubadan long life filled with robust and sound health.

Emmanuel Ukoh