By Adeyinka Adeniran
Members of Olubadan-in-Council on Tuesday rose from a 2-hour closed door meeting with Olubadan-elect, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, to formally welcome him back home and discuss coronation formalities.
Also, several dignitaries including former Minister of Power, Elder Wole Oyelese, All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections, Senator Teslim Folarin, chiefs, business men and community leaders in their good numbers stormed the Bodija residence to pay royal homage on the Olubadan-elect.
The Council meeting, which took place between 11.25 am and 1.20pm at his Ondo street, Bodija, Ibadan residence observed one minute silence in honour of late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7.
Oba Ladoja was not in Ibadan at the time of the incident and burial.
The meetinh was the first which the former governor will attend with the Council members in the past two and a half months.
The delegation led by Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola congratulated Oba Ladoja on his emergence as the next Olubadan.
They told Oba Ladoja that the public expectation over him was very high, adding that they would continue to pray to God to give him unction to function.
They later discussed issues concerning his coronation, especially as it affects cultural and ceremonial.
The Council envisaged that an unprecedented crowd of people will be attending the coronation, and as such, everything should be gotten right.
According to Ladoja’s media Aide, Adeola Oloko, members of the Council also informed the Olubadan-elect of their willingness to serve in whatever capacity he so wishes before, during and after coronation.
Earlier, the Olubadan-elect appreciated the entire members of the council over their unanimous ratification of his candidacy as the next Olubadan, even though he was not at home to be physically present at the meeting.
He promised them that as Olubadan, he would run a collective and all-inclusive administration that would take into consideration their opinions. He also solicited their support and co-operation in taking Ibadan to the next level.
Speaking on the coronation ceremony, Ladoja noted that the Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders including the Araba and Oluwo Afobaje have an important role to play in the coronation.
He added that now that he is back home, the stakeholders would meet to discuss the coronation details with the governor, noting that, after this is done, the date agreed upon would be announced.
He however assured the monarchs that the Olubadan-in-council would be carried along and whoever they nominate in the state Coronation Committee will be sent to the state for approval.
It was gathered that the meeting was rounded off with a lunch.
Members of the Olubadan-in-council present at the meeting include: Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola, Osi Balogun, Oba Olubunmi Isioye-Dada, Asipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Asipa Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.
Others are Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Balogun Oba Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin and Ekarun Balogun, High Chief Sharafadeen Alli.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola sent his apologies for being absent.
