Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan, publicly urged President Bola Tinubu on Friday to establish Ibadan State.
The new monarch asked Tinubu to make this a reality by 2027 in a statement following his installation and the handover of the Staff of Office from Governor Seyi Makinde.
Speaking in Yoruba, Ladoja stated, “I received a message from my people to Mr. President. They stated that the establishment of Ibadan State is their top objective, Mr. President.
Governor Makinde also stated that the people of Ibadan are proud of Ladoja’s rise to become the 44th traditional head of the historic city.
“It is a great honour to join in celebrating His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adewolu Ladoja’s coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland,” he added. The happiness and excitement that permeate Ibadan today serve as a reminder of how crucial it is to preserve our treasured customs.
We may all take satisfaction in the fact that the Olubadan throne succession process is now well-established and uncontested. The Olubadan, the Ibadan Council of Chiefs, and the entire Ibadanland populace join me in celebrating.
I pray that Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole would experience better progress, unity, and long-lasting peace under Oba Adewolu Ladoja’s rule.
In addition, former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke, and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III were all present at the coronation ceremony.
Before the monarch made his way to Mapo Hall for the formal event, the Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Waheed Popoola, conducted the customary procedures by laying Akoko leaves on Oba Ladoja’s head at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba.
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Political friends including Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun (Ibadan South) and Teslim Folarin, a past contender for governor of Oyo State, were part of the new Olubadan’s retinue.
Along with other federal and state legislators, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North) were also present.
