IBADAN STANDS STILL FOR NEW OLUBADAN

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, came alive yesterday as Governor Abiola Ajimobi, presented the staff of office to the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1. The governor who charged the monarch at the colourful ceremony held at the ancient Mapo Hall, to live above board during his reign, also promised to overhaul the chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland. Present at the coronation include the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his counterparts, Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu; former governors of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo; Senator Rasheed Ladoja and his wife, Mutiat and Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala; former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly Hon. Najeem Salam and Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Mukthar Abimbola.

Royal fathers present were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Ologunebi, Ajinase 1, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi and Ayangbunrin of Ikorodu. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division, Ibadan, Major General Laz Iloh, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade; MD of First Bank, Dr. Sola Adeduntan and the Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, were also present at the occasion. Ajimobi urged Oba Adetunji to use all what he has as a successful businessman and custodian of tradition in the ancient city to protect the interest of his subjects. He urged him to work towards sustenance of the prevailing peace and tranquility in the city and the state at large. According to the governor, the review of the chieftaincy institution will ensure speedy completion of appointment procedures and also ensure the insulation of high chiefs from partisan politics as the father of all. He said since royalty is service, the “Oba is expected to be above board and ralying point of all citizens.

He is the ruler of Ibadanland and symbol of Unity and final say on customary matters. The Olubadan is faced with the task of building peace”. Ajimobi stated further that nobody can be qualified to be Olubadan if he is found to suffer from physical infirmity or declared to be a lunatic or unsound mind. The governor, apparently speaking on the legal tussle by the Seriki Chiefs, said the Chiefs Law regulating the succession to the stool of Olubadan recognizes rotation to the stool between the Otun and Balogun lines, noting that the ascension to the throne is “stricly rotational”. He said, “The choice of the new Olubadan from the Balogun line is customary, traditional, legal and satisfied all legal provisions without legal incumberances. The council having presented him, I now approve this appointment.

He is now the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is a famous business tycoon and music recording guru discovering many talents sent across the world”. Oba Adetunji in his speech, said his priority is to ensure the actualization of Ibadan State which he insisted the city truly deserved. He also said part of his vision is to ensure that Ibadan Airport is giving a facelift to international standard. He said, “I give thanks to Almighty Allah, the government and the entire people of Ibadanland for crowning me as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland 40 years after I assumed the leadership of my clan and immediate environment as Mogaji. “My first promotion which made today possible came in 1978, when I was appointed Jagun Balogun. And I will do my utmost best for the peace, progress and development of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general.