Olubadan Designate, Oba Ladoja In Closed Door Meeting With Kingmakers

*Deliberates on installation process

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

Few hours after his return to Ibadan, the Olubadan of Ibadanland designate, Oba Rasidi Ladoja on Tuesday, met behind closed doors with the Ibadan kingmakers at his Ondo Street, Old Bodija private residence in Ibadan.

New Nigerian gathered that the meeting lasted between 11.25am and 1.20pm at Oba Ladoja’s Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan residence with all the kingmakers in Ibadanland, except the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola who was unavoidably absent.

The meeting marked the first of its kind since the arrival of Oba Ladoja to Ibadan since the demise of Oba Owolabi Olakukehin.

According to a statement on the meeting, a media aide to the Olubadan designate, Alhaji Adeola Oloko, “The meeting was believed to have observed one minute silence in honour of late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7 when Oba Ladoja was not in Ibadan.

” It was their first meeting with Ladoja in the past two and a half months.The delegation led by Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola later congratulated Oba Ladoja on his emergence as the next Olubadan”, he said.

Alhaji Oloko added, ” 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”

” They envisaged that an unprecedented crowd of people will be attending the coronation, and as such, we should get everything right.They informed Kabiyesi of their willingness to serve in whatever capacity he so wishes before,during and after coronation”.

Alhaji Oloko stressed further ” The Olubadan-elect had 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. He promised them that as Olubadan, he would run a collective and all-inclusive administration that would take into consideration their opinions”.

“He solicited their support and co-operation in taking Ibadan to the next level. As for the coronation ceremony, he said the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders,like the Araba and Oluwo Afobaje have an important role to play in the coronation. He added that now that he is back home, they can now meet to discuss the coronation details with His Excellency, the Governor. It is after this is done that the date agreed upon would be announced.

‘But he assured the monarchs that the Olubadan-in-council would be carried along by him and whoever they nominate in the state Coronation Committee will be sent to the state for approval”

Alhaji Oloko said ” They later had lunch. The Olubadan-in-council present at the meeting are 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 was believed to have sent his apologies for being absent. High Chief Alli gave the vote of thanks”.

Several dignitaries including former Minister of Mines and Power, Elder Wole Oyelese,All Progressives Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections, Senator Teslim Folarin,Chiefs, business men and community leaders’ also visited Oba Ladoja at his Bodija residence on Tuesday