Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented Staff of Office to the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, at a ceremony held in Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State’s capital.
The 42nd Olubadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, was coronated and presented with the instrument of office on Friday, March 11, 2022.
Traditional rites were performed for the new Olubadan at the Osemeji and Afobaje compounds before the official installation.
Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo who represented President Muhammadu Buhari led other dignitaries to Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the venue of the coronation ceremony and presentation of the Staff of Office.
In his presidential remarks, Prof. Osinbajo expressed confidence that with the amiable credentials, experience and exposure of the new Olubadan, there is no doubt in his ability to discharge his responsibilities, in collaboration with other constituted authorities, to make Oyo State and Nigeria at large, better.
Osinbajo, who traced the political history, extolled the virtues of Ibadan as a city of many firsts, disclosing that whoever is to ascend the throne of the Olubadan must climb 23 chieftaincy steps, a feat which makes the Olubadan succession plan unique in the whole of Yorubaland.
“It is with the custodianship of this illustrious heritage and proud tradition that the Olubadan has been initiated today and it is, therefore, your Royal Majesty, a heavy obligation of history that the privilege of your ascension to the throne of your fathers now places upon your shoulders. But your shoulders are broad and steady, as you come into this office better prepared than probably any monarch anywhere.”
On his part, the Chief Host, Governor Makinde, affirmed that he would always stand by the integrity of the traditional institution and urged the custodians of Ibadan traditional institution to remain steadfast in preserving the integrity of the institution by not allowing politicians or external influences to alter the norms.
“Since the first coronation was held in the 1850’s we have tried to maintain what is described as the best succession plan in Yoruba history. When the last Olubadan died in the last two months, people would not believe that we would coronate another Olubadan this soon, but today we are here for the coronation, we thank God and the people.”
“This ceremony is a victory for the sons, daughters and lovers of Ibadanland because our cherished culture and tradition have been restored. I have always taken a stand for the defence of the integrity of our traditional system and I can say that with the occasion today, the sanctity of the century-old dynasty has been restored,” the Governor stated.
He commended the new monarch for his contributions to the development of Ibadanland and the state as a whole over the years, urging him not to allow any political or external influence to interrupt the independence of the Olubadan-in-Council.
Making his first official speech after receiving the staff and instrument of office, Olubadan Balogun thanked the governor for the gesture and promised that he would not let Ibadan and himself down with the new task at hand.
The highpoint of the event was the paying of traditional homage to the new Olubadan by high chiefs, Iyalode-in-Council, senior chiefs, mogajis, baales and traditional religious leaders, amongst others, through which the leaders pledged their loyalty and support to the new Olubadan.
Special rendition of panegyric in form of ewi and oriki to extol the ancestral lineage of the new Olubadan was also presented to add glamour to the ceremony.
Some of the dignitaries at the event are ex-Vice President Atiku Abubarkar; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , who was represented by the ex-deputy governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro; PDP National Chairman, Iyiorcha Ayu; Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano); ex-Governors Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo); Deputy Governors, Murphy Orimisan Ayedatiwa (Ondo) and Benedict Alabi (Osun) who represented their governors.
The event was also witnessed by traditional rulers including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Sultan of Sokoto, Alh Mahmud Saad Abubarkar; Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero; Etsu Nupe, Dr Yahaya Abubarkar; Olugbo of Ugboland, Dr Frederick Obateru Akinruntan.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; Cultural Ambassador of Yorubaland, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja; members of the Olubadan-in-Council including, high chiefs, Eddy Oyewole, Adebayo Akande, were also in attendance.
Others are: political appointees and religious leaders, including: Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Sheikh Abdulganir Agbotomokekere; Nigerian Ambassador to the Benin Republic; Tukur Buratai; Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Makinde; a former Minister of Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Onikepo Akande; former CAN President, Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akano; CAN Chairman, Oyo State, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju and Dr Adewale Adebiyi, Provost Cathedral, St Peters Aremo, Ibadan.
PIAK
