Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, conducted the official presentation of staff of office to the High Chiefs of Ibadanland who were recently elevated to the esteemed status of beaded crown Obas. However, the ceremony was marked by the absence of Senator Radhidi Ladoja, a notable High Chief and former Governor of Oyo State, who holds the position of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The coronation of the elevated Ibadan High Chiefs took place at the historic Mapo Hall Oja-Oba Ibadan. These chiefs now represent the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, across the 11 local government traditional councils in Ibadanland.
The newly elevated High Chiefs are divided between the Balogun and Olubadan lines. From the Balogun line, the new Obas include HRM Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin (Balogun of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola (Otun Balogun of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Lateef Adebimpe (Osi Balogun of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Kola Adegbola (Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Dada Isioye (Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland), and HRM Oba Abiodun Azeez (Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland).
From the Olubadan line, the newly adorned Obas are HRM Oba Rasheed Ladoja (Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole (Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland), HRM Oba Hamidu Ajibade (Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland), and HRM Oba Adebayo Akande (Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland).
The Governor highlighted that the promotion of the Obas does not place them above the Olubadan of Ibadanland, who possesses the ultimate consenting authority in the matter.
Governor Makinde, while congratulating the Olubadan for this historic development, urged the newly promoted kings to prioritize the welfare of their subjects. He assured those who felt aggrieved by the elevation to seek legal recourse, expressing confidence in the due process followed during the review of Oyo State’s Chieftaincy laws.
During the elevation ceremony, HIM Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, described the occasion as a significant moment in history. He acknowledged the approval by Governor Seyi Abiodun Makinde for the elevation of members of the Olubadan Advisory Council to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas. The Olubadan emphasized that Ibadan’s traditional system would continue to evolve and adapt as circumstances require.
The Olubadan addressed concerns about the uniqueness of the Ibadan traditional system and assured that the current elevation process differed from previous ones. He emphasized that the sacredness and respect accorded to the Olubadan’s stool would remain unaffected. He also highlighted the principle of unity and succession within the traditional system, stating that today’s High Chiefs are tomorrow’s Olubadans.
The Olubadan concluded by mentioning that the elevation ceremony was divided into two phases, with the second phase involving the elevation of additional Baales in Ibadanland to Obas as Royal Highnesses, which will take place at a later date. He urged the Baales to prepare themselves for this forthcoming occasion.
