THE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and former
Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is a member of
Olubadan-in-Council yesterday boycotted the coronation ceremony of 21 new kings
installed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi...
Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Saliu
Adetunji The absence of the duo, however, did not take the shine off the epoch
making ceremony as thousands of residents of the sprawling city trooped out to
witness the memorable event. Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, presented
certificates and staff of office to the 21 chiefs, who were among the 33
recently elevated to the status of Obas in Ibadan, following the adoption of
the recommendations of a judicial commission of inquiry earlier inaugurated by
the governor. The colorful ceremony, held at the arcade of the historic Mapo
Hall, Ibadan, yesterday, was attended by prominent Ibadan elders,
socio-cultural groups, opinion leaders and a large number of Ibadan citizens.
A
cross-section of promoted Ibadan High Chiefs to Obas at their coronation and
presentation of staff of office by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan on Sunday
(27/8/17). The event marked a turning point in the history of the ancient city,
which used to have the Olubadan of Ibadanland as the only beaded-crown-wearing
Oba, in its 11 Local Government Areas with a population of about four million.
The 11 members of the Olubadan-in-council were elevated to the status of Oba,
with the prefix of ‘his royal majesty,’ but only eight were available for the
event, following the death of two high chiefs and the refusal of Osi Olubadan,
Senator Rashidi Ladoja, to be part of the process. 13 ancient baales from
different towns in Ibadanland were also promoted to the position of Obas, with
the prefix of ‘his royal highness.’ All the newly promoted Obas will be under
the authority of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who will be
the only ‘imperial majesty,’ while none of them will add the suffix ‘land’ to
his title. Due to the vacancies in the stool of nine chieftaincies, who have
also been elevated to the status of obaship, the nine towns were not
represented at the occasion. Speaking at the event, the governor said that the
state government followed due process in conducting the exercise, stressing
that all extant laws had been complied with, while he said that the exercise
was not encumbered by any legal impediment. Ajimobi debunked the insinuations
being peddled by those he called political opponents to the effect that the
promotion was targeted at whittling down the influence and authority of the
Olubadan as the supreme monarch in Ibadanland. The governor said that the
initiative was borne out of a strong sense of patriotism and a resolve to
elevate, uplift, transform and re-position the chieftaincy institution of Ibadanland.
He quoted a famous author, Henry James, who once said that ‘a tradition is kept
alive only by something being added to it,’ to buttress his point. Ajimobi
said, “This epoch making event in the annals of the history of Ibadanland is a
practical demonstration of our administration’s commitment to the enhancement
of dignity and honour of the chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland and Oyo
State in general. “I wish to state categorically that we are not changing
history; we are not changing tradition; we are not changing the culture of
Ibadanland. “Rather, we are elevating and consolidating our traditional
institution and the exalted position of the Olubadan as the imperial majesty in
Ibadanland. “We are also elevating the Olubadan-in-Council and the chieftaincy
institution without altering or tinkering with the traditional succession and
ascendancy system of the Olubadan Chieftaincy structure.” The governor
explained that the review of the 1959 Olubadan chieftaincy declaration was not
a novel idea, having been carried out by successive administrations in the
state in 1974, 1981, 1993 and 2000. According to him, Ladoja, who was opposed
to the current exercise, also set up the Adio Commission to review the Olubadan
Chieftaincy declaration, before jettisoning the commission’s recommendations.
The governor said, “Our administration is not reinventing the wheel. We have
simply, like others before us, embarked on a review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy
Declaration in response to the yearnings of well meaning stakeholders. “These
include the Ibadan Elders Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII)
and eminent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, such as Chief Theophilus
Akinyele; the late Otun Olubadan, Chief Omowale Kuye; and all, but one member
of the Olubadan– in-Council.
Gov Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state (R), presenting
staff of office to Oba Eddy Oyewole during presentation of staff of office to
the newly promoted Ibadan High Chiefs by the Governor in Ibadan on Sunday
(27/8/17). “They all desired to elevate the traditional chieftaincy institution
in Ibadanland and position it comparably and competitively amongst other
ancient Yoruba cities who have embraced new and modern systems. They have been
truly inspired by the words of Lidia Bastianich when she said ‘Today’s
innovations are tomorrow’s tradition.’” The governor explained that the event
was also borne out of his administration’s burning desire to redress the
lopsidedness in the number of beaded crown obas in Ibadanland vis-Ć -vis other
zones in the state. While Oke Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapa zones have
several beaded crown obas, he declared that Ibadanland, touted as the political
and traditional headquarters of Yorubaland, had only one beaded crown oba. With
the installation of 33 new obas, the governor said that the clamor for the
creation of Ibadan State had become justifiable, adding that the individual
domains of the new obas were poised to witness tremendous growth and
development. He charged the new obas to use their elevated royal positions to
promote peace in their localities, as well as the unity and well-being of the
citizenry. Responding on behalf of the new obas, the Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan
Balogun, thanked the governor for acceding to what he called the clamor by
respected Ibadan elders to review the Olubadan chieftaincy to be in zinc with
other Yoruba cities. He reaffirmed the supremacy of Olubadan, whom he said,
remained the imperial majesty and father of all the citizens and obas in the
land. Oba Balogun said, “I’m happy to be part of history today. This is an
epoch-making event. We are proud of the governor. We are grateful to him. On
behalf of all of us, I want to assure the governor that we will use our
position to enhance the socioeconomic development of Ibadanland and the entire
state. “This promotion will put Ibadan in strong footing in the traditional
institution of Yoruba land. With 33 obas, Ibadan can now renew its clamor for
the creation of Ibadan state. This envisages the emergence of Ibadan State. “I
want to make it clear that the Olubadan, his imperial majesty, remains our
father. It will be more heart-warming and prestigious when we follow him to
events henceforth with our crowns.” Vanguard observed that all the new kings
came into the hall wearing their new crowns while the governor presented them
all with staffs of office. Those newly crowned include: His Royal Majesty, Oba
Lekan Balogun, Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi
Olakulehin, Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Osi Balogun, Oba Eddy Oyewole,
Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun, Oba Abiodun
Kola Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Kolawole Adegbola, Ekaarun Balogun, and Oba
Amidu Ajibade, Ekarun Olubadan and others. All the members of Olubadan in
council excluding Senator Ladoja were given beaded crowns and staff of office.
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