Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for reform of the traditional system in the state saying such reforms would come from the royal fathers
He stated this during the elevation and coronation ceremony of ten out of eleven Ibadan high chiefs of the Olubadan who were promoted to beaded crown-wearing obas at an event held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The Governor, who presented instruments of office to the elevated high chiefs, promised to support and give approval for the reforms.
Makinde stated: “The Chiefs Law has always given the governor authority to approve or disapprove reforms from the traditional systems. So all we amended was to remove ‘it’ to refer to the governor and retain ‘it’ so that this part agrees with the rest of the law.
“The second part of the amendment that’s based on sub-section one: ‘Any person who is elevated to wear beaded crown from Baale to Minor Chief shall continue to pay obeisance to his prescribed or consenting authority’. The consenting authority today is the Olubadan, not the governor of Oyo State,” he explained.
He denied influencing the traditional system of Ibadanland and declared the throne of the Olubadan as the prescribed and consenting authority of the traditional system in Ibadanland.
Governor Makinde explained that the clarification became imperative in view of insinuations that he was the one behind the crowing of the obas, noting that at a time, he was against the crowning of some monarchs, but he had learned better and seen things more clearly, especially since the request was made by the Olubadan himself.
He further revealed that the elevation of the high chiefs does not make them in any way higher than the Olubadan who is their prescribed or consenting authority for the elevation.
Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, whose speech was presented by a former Head of Service in the state, Tajudeen Aremu, assured that the elevation and coronation of the high chiefs would not in anyway disrupt the Olubadan ascendancy stool or alter the uniqueness of the Ibadan Traditional System in any way.
Oba Balogun stated: ”We have a unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the only thing permanent in life is change.”
He dismissed insinuations from some quarters that the current elevation is a repeat of similar exercise done in the state in the past, saying the fact that the Olubadan, as the prescribed and consenting authority of the Ibadan Traditional System, originated the current exercise, among other changes, is more than enough to change the narrative.
The Olubadan noted: “Another notable observation worthy of public clarification has to do with the fear of the stool of Olubadan losing respect, honour and prestige because of the elevation of the High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas as Royal Majesties. I don’t think it can happen or I don’t see it happening because the stool of Olubadan is a sacred one that nobody dares desecrate for whatever reason or purpose.”
The high chiefs who were crowned include: the Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; and Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole.
Others are: Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe (Osi Balogun), Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Ashipa Olubadan), Kolawole Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun), Hamidu Ajibade (Ekerin Olubadan), Dada Isioye (Ekerin Balogun), Adebayo Akande (Ekarun Olubadan) and Abiodun Dauda Azeez (Ekarun Balogun).
Former Governor Rasidi Ladoja, who would have been the eleventh member to receive the crown was absent at the event.
The high chiefs, now beaded crown-wearing royal majesties, are representatives of the Olubadan as acting chairmen in the eleven local government traditional councils in Ibadan.
PIAK
