*Makinde Presents Staff Of Office, Tinubu Congratulates New Monarch

OBA Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin was on Friday, July 12, crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The 89-year-old new Olubadan was crowned at the Labosinde compound, the family with the mandate to perform the ceremony, according to the tradition.

Oba Olakulehin immediately afterwards moved to Ile Osemeji at Oja Oba area of the city, which is regarded as the place where the divination on the future of Ibadan was revealed.

The new Olubadan, accompanied by members of Olubadan in-Council, family members and well wishers, moved to the frontage of the popular Mapo Hall.

      Thereafter, Governor Seyi Makinde presented the Staff of Office and the Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital.

Makinde stated: “By the power conferred upon me as the governor by Sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 20 of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 Vol.1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, I hereby present the Instrument/Staff of Office, which symbolises your authority as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.”

Makinde charged the new Ibadan monarch to use the position for the upliftment and progress of Ibadanland, promising that his administration would continue to promote traditional institutions, while congratulating the entire Ibadan people for a successful enthronement of the new Olubadan.

The Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, who represented President Bola Tinubu, implored Oba Olakulehin to uphold the tradition and values that had made Ibadan a symbol of resilience and progress.

He said: “As we look to the future, we acknowledge that there are challenges ahead, but I am surely convinced that we can overcome these challenges with your majesty’s leadership quality, cooperation of all chiefs and the people.

“Let us not forget to live in unity, tolerance, mutual respect for one another and let us continue to strive for peace and understanding among ourselves, so that Ibadan would continue to blossom.”

In his acceptance speech, Olakulehin thanked sons and daughters of Ibadanland for supporting his enthronement, pledging to rule the ancient city in a way that would fast-track more development.

He also appreciated the federal and state governments for their contributions toward the success of the coronation.

Among the dignitaries that attended the event were Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy governors of Osun and Ondo states, Chief Kola Adewusi and and Dr. Olayide Adelami, respectively; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and a former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja; among others.

In a related development, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Olakulehin on his coronation.

His spokesman, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, titled, ‘’’ ‘President Tinubu congratulates new Olubadan on coronation,’ on Friday, July 12, said: “The President joins the family of the new Olubadan, Ibadan citizens, the Oyo State Council of Obas and the Oyo State Government to celebrate Oba Olakulehin on his ascension to the revered throne of his forebears.

“The President affirms that Oba Olakulehin brings to the throne immense wisdom, experience, character, and strength.”

Tinubu urged the monarch to use the highly esteemed stool of Ibadan to advance the peace, security and development of the area.

“President Tinubu assures the new Olubadan of his support and wishes him success as he works to promote and preserve the culture and traditions of the ancient city.

“The President also congratulates Ibadan indigenes on the peaceful succession process and prays that the peace, beauty and renown of Ibadan will abide always,” the statement read.

     Recall that the Ibadan stool became vacant following the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, at the age of 81 after two years on the throne.

     Born on July 5, 1935, Olakulehin studied at Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building.

He transferred his service to the Nigerian Army Corp of Engineers in 1970 through the Direct Short Service Commission as a Second Lieutenant.

He retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Army as a Major on October 1, 1979, after 25 years in military service.

Upon disengagement from the military, he engaged in private business and later joined active politics and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992, representing Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Nigerian Army.