History was made in Ibadan on Friday as Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, officially presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, confirming him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The colourful coronation ceremony, held at the iconic Mapo Hall, drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ex-governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and prominent politicians.
Governor Makinde described the occasion as a landmark moment for Ibadan and Yorubaland, saying:
“By the power vested in me as governor, I present the staff of office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Earlier in the day, Oba Ladoja performed the traditional rites at the Labosinde Compound in Oja’ba, where Akoko leaves were placed on his head before he led a grand procession to Mapo Hill for the formal ceremony.
The event was graced by first-class monarchs such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, and the Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Lawal.
Other notable attendees included former Ogun State governors Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alongside lawmakers like Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala.
Oba Ladoja, who governed Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, now succeeds the late 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7.
The coronation was the grand finale of a week-long celebration featuring prayers, cultural displays, and a special lecture at the University of Ibadan.History was made in Ibadan on Friday as Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, officially presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, confirming him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The colourful coronation ceremony, held at the iconic Mapo Hall, drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ex-governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and prominent politicians.
Governor Makinde described the occasion as a landmark moment for Ibadan and Yorubaland, saying:
“By the power vested in me as governor, I present the staff of office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Earlier in the day, Oba Ladoja performed the traditional rites at the Labosinde Compound in Oja’ba, where Akoko leaves were placed on his head before he led a grand procession to Mapo Hill for the formal ceremony.
The event was graced by first-class monarchs such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, and the Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Lawal.
Other notable attendees included former Ogun State governors Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alongside lawmakers like Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala.
Oba Ladoja, who governed Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, now succeeds the late 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7.
The coronation was the grand finale of a week-long celebration featuring prayers, cultural displays, and a special lecture at the University of Ibadan.
