The Olubadan of Ibadan-designate (Monarch), Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has expressed heartfelt appreciation to his predecessor for fostering a culture of oneness, unity, and love among the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
Oba Olakulehin stated this in a moment of sober reflection at the Aliiwo family compound of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Olubadan-designate, formerly the Balogun of Ibadanland and next in line to the late Olubadan, was joined by three Advisory Council members: Osi Balogun, Ashipa Olubadan, and Ashipa Balogun—Obas Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and Kolawole Adegbola, respectively, during the visit.
Speaking through Oba Adebimpe after the team was welcomed to the family by the Baba Kekere of the late Olubadan, Dr Kola Balogun, Oba Olakulehin said that it was the seed of love and unity planted by the late Olubadan that gave the fruit as being witnessed through the visit, which he described as historic.
The Monarch further emphasised that the camaraderie among the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council during his predecessor’s reign was unprecedented in Ibadan’s traditional history
He recalled that the understanding between him and the late Olubadan was unparalleled as there was never any form of disagreement between the duo while the reign lasted.
He called for the same bond among the Council members during his reign, promising that he would build on the legacy left behind by the late Olubadan.
Oba Olakulehin urged the members of the Aliiwo family to be thankful to God for the life and times of their departed patriarch.
He said: “Though the reign was short in the eyes of men, but, the impacts and the legacies brought to Ibadan during the short period should be enough consolation and source of gratitude to God Almighty.”
In his address of welcome on behalf of the family, Kola Balogun, a member of the Ninth Assembly from Oyo South Senatorial District, praised Oba Olakulehin for the heroic and historic visit.
He emphasised that it had never been heard in history that Olubadan-designate visited the family of his predecessor.
Balogun, who was Baba-Kekere Olubadan to the late monarch, insisted that the uniqueness of Ibadan remained unfathomable to the uninitiated when it comes to relationship, as Ibadan sons and daughters are always related as brothers and sisters, not minding the largeness of the metropolis.
He said: “Outsiders always wonder why we always refer to one another as brother and sister. What they don’t know is that the Ibadan people have a way of being related either maternally or paternally, and where that does not exist, we become related through marriage, and if any of those mentioned is missed, then we become related through our common masquerade festival.
“On behalf of our late patriarch and the entire Aliiwo family, I say a big congratulations to Kabiyesi for the grace of being nominated and it is our prayer that God Almighty will grant you good health and longevity of life on the throne. We are happy to receive you and want to assure your Majesty that the family will always be there for you, Kabiyesi,”Sen. Balogun added.
In attendance to receive the visitors were the surviving Oloris (wives) of the late Olubadan, Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, mni, Aliiwo family elders, women group and the youths.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
