By Adeyinka Adeniran
After months of uncertainty and rancor, peace could be said to have returned to the Olubadan Chieftaincy as all waring and discord might have been laid to final rest.
This is because a former governor of Oyo State, a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja was on Monday crowned as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the reviewed Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration Law.
The reviewe had generated acrimony and controversy between Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council on one hand and the former governor Ladoja on another hand, as the latter had refused to be crowned while all others were presented.
However, Monday’s presentation of beaded crown to Ladoja by the Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and subsequent presentation of staff and instrument of office by Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal who represented his principal, Seyi Makinde have laid to rest all form of controversies on the subject.
The ceremony which held at the new Palace of the Olubadan, Oke Aremo, Ibadan was the first official event of the monarch and witness by prominent sons of Ibadanland and top government functionaries.
Olubadan, the consenting authority who crowned Oba Rasidi Ladoja who had earlier before the ceremony presided over the first Olubadan – in- Council meeting of his tenure, used the opportunity to congratulate the people of Ibadanland on the renewed unity amongst Ibadan Kingmakers which, according to him, will translate to peace, progress and development in the land.
“With the coronation of Oba Rasidi Ladoja as a beaded crown Oba, my reign is starting on a very harmonious note to the benefit of Ibadan Land as all kingmakers are all now on the same page”, he said
Speaking before making the presentation, Lawal said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde will continue to prioritise efforts that will enhance the status of the royal system in the state and make it a worthy reference point for other Southwest states.
He maintained that the occasion put an end to all the controversies surrounding the issue of beaded crown in Ibadanland and has shown that the traditional system is capable of reinventing itself without external interference.
He said: “On behalf of the governor of the state, I greet the people of Ibadan. We thank God that, today, all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded crown have come to an end even without external interference.
“I want to use this avenue to also thank the CCII President-General, the Aare Musulumi of Oyo, Edo and Delta and other dignitaries here present. Ibadan, as we all know, is a city of elites. If the city is peaceful, we believe the entire Yorubaland will be peaceful.
“In Oyo State, we believe that if we want to make progress, there must be little changes in how things should be done. Part of it is what we are doing here today. We want the royalty, monarchy to be well-founded and well-established in Oyo State.
“We believe if this is established in Oyo State, it will be a reference point in the entire Yorubaland.
“So, on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, I have the opportunity of presenting the instrument of office to HRM Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the conferment of Obaship on him by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin 1, the Olubadan of Ibadandland.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Cap 28 Volume 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, and any other powers in that behalf, I confer on you the title of Royal Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Shortly after receiving the beaded crown, staff of office and the certificate of office, the newly-elevated Oba, Senator Ladoja thanked Governor Makinde and the state government for their efforts in ensuring that peace reigns in Ibadanland.
He equally thanked the indigenes of Ibadanland for their support, praying for the progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State.
He said there is nothing wrong in becoming a king in Olubadan line, adding that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin remains the only king in the ancient city and that all other obas remains his subjects and advisers.
He said people who think the ancient city will erupt in crisis owing to the misunderstanding that trailed the reform of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration were wrong, noting that all those involved knew how to settle their differences amicably.
He said he agreed to take the crown because all his misgivings and uncertainties have been addressed.
Oba Ladoja said “We can do our things on our own in Ibadanland, those thinking that Ibadan will burn are liars, whenever there is issue among us, you will see that things will change once we enter room and come out, that’s all because we know what is right
“Misunderstanding was the cause of what happened before, because what we were asking before was that as a king, where is our domain?
“They have answered us that we were king in Olubadan line because what declaration tells us was that Otun can become king, Osi, Asipa and Ekeerin including all of us in the Olubadan line can become king.
“There is nothing wrong in becoming the king in Olubadan line
“The question I have been asking of where is our domain has been answered.
“Only those that God destinated can become the Olubadan, we have seen some who rose to the post of the Otun and Balogun but eventually don’t become the Olubadan
“Now that we have become the king, we have become the adviser and servant to Oba Olakulehin because he can send us to wherever he want as our king.
“We only have one king in Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin is our king.”
He thank Ibadan people and residents of Ibadan, praying that Ibadan will continue to witness tremendous achievements.
