When Oba S.A Adetunji mounted the throne of Olubadan : Spectacular views, by Lashley Oladigbolu.

Pictures: The Historic Coronation Ceremony of Olubadan Aje Ogungunuso 1

The 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji Aje Ogungunuso 1 was officially crowned and presented with the staff of office on Friday.

L-R: New Olubadan of Ibadan’s most senior wife, Olori Rafiat Adetunji; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji; and Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, during the presentation of Staff of Office at the monarch’s coronation in Ibadan... on Friday. Photo:Goke Famadewa

Eminent personalties who besieged the ancient city of Ibadan on Friday 4th March, 2016  have one thing in common on their way coming..... IBADAN, be it for ceremonial event or political assimilations, the city maintains a root for the entire region of the Southwestern part of Nigeria. The level of attendance of who-is-who evidently depicts that Ibadan is unarguably a home that stands to be a mixture of sacred city for  both old and new,  as well as place of abode for the elites in Nigeria.

The event started early in the morning at the house of the Oluwo of Ibadanland, Chief Mosadogun. The Oluwo Afobaje’s compound had been bubbling with activities as early as 9 am. People who knew that would be the Olubadan’s first port of call had gathered to catch a glimpse of him.

Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, The Olubadan of Ibadanland

After the Oluwo had decorated the new Olubadan with the traditional akoko leaves, Kabiyesi prostrated himself before the Oluwo and the people of Ibadan signaling the last time he would ever prostrate before anyone. The Oluwo in turn prostrated himself before the new king. Just as the monarch was being decorated, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, led by the Oun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun walked in.

Then came the calabash opening, which is believed to spiritually signify what the reign of the oba would witness. Given two chances to pick the identical calabashes, Kabiyesi first picked the calabash filled with money followed by the one that had honey inside. The obviously elated Oluwo thereafter announced that Oba Aje Ogunguniso’s reign would be characterized by wealth and peace.

Done at the Oluwo’s compound, Oba Adetunji left for the Mapo Hall arcade where guests from every part of the country had gathered to witness the presentation of the certificate and instrument of office.

While presenting the staff of office, the Governor charged the monarch to brace up for service as he noted that “royalty is service”.

In his first official speech, the new Olubadan said he would ensure that the peace of the city was sustained, stating also that he would step up the campaign for the actualisation of Ibadan State and an international airport in the city.

The new Olubadan said, “Of all the regional capitals of the old regions, the capital of the Western Region has yet to have a state. God sparing my life, I will work with the government and the people of Ibadan and our friends to ensure that Ibadan State, which we truly deserve, is made possible.

“Much is still expected on the Ibadan cargo terminal. However, a truly international airport will complement the progress we are currently experiencing and usher in rapid development of our state.”

The event was also attended by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi; Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode; Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; the All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and other traditional leaders.

Former state governors who attended include Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun State and Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State. There were elders of Ibadan land such as Dr. Lekan Are and others.

After the booming of 29 gunshots at the Oke’badan shrine, a short non-denominational service at the Olubadan Palace in Popoyemoja area of Ibadan, and the Olubadan’s last traditional homage to the people of the land, the new Olubadan was formally introduced into the Mapo Hall arcade at 12.11pm to the admiration of Ibadan people who trooped to the venue.

Before the presentation of the staff of office to Oba Adetunji, Ajimobi said his choice satisfied all legal provisions, while also announcing that the present government in the state would carry out complete overhaul of the institution of chieftaincy in the city with a view to ensuring speedy completion of appointment to chieftaincy titles. He also clarified that only the Balogun and Otun Olubadan had the right to present candidate for the Olubadan throne.

In his speech, Ajimobi said the choice of Oba Adetunji from the Balogun chieftaincy line and as the highest ranking chief in that line was customary, traditional and legal. He said the Olubadan-in-Council, being the kingmakers, appointed and presented Adetunji as 

Olubadan and Service chiefs

L-R Ambode , Tinubu and Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu at the event .

L-R Fayose , Mrs Ajimobi and Ajimobi

Arrival of Nigeria most controversial and swaggerlicious governor Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, the Executive governor of Ekiti State.

The city of Ibadan.

Ooni of Ife and Oba Saheed Elegushi.

Arrival of Sultan .

Indeed, the even is a success in the history of Ibadanland.
The arrival of Olubadan was heralded by gun salutes.

By 12:29, Oba Adetunji mounted the exalted customized chair, symbolizing the throne. Inscribed on the chair is: “Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Olubadan of Ibadan.”

 The chief comperes, who are ace broadcasters, Yanju Adegbite and Wale Rufai, directed the activities with dexterity.

 The dignitaries retired into Mapo Hall for reception after the coronation.

 Other dignitaries at the event were  former governors of old and new Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala respectively; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State and Alhaji Aminu Turaki of Jigawa State.

Also at the event were Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo; members of the National Assembly and former deputy governors of the state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun and Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja.

Others include legal icon, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Chief Lekan Are; Chief  Lamidi Ajadi; Chairman of APC in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke; Chief Gboyega Arulogun; Chief Kola-Daisi; Chief Teslim Folarin; Prophet Samuel Abiara; Chief Bose Adedibu; President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Wole Akinwande; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka; Prof Taoheed Adedoja; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG Zone 11),  Kalafite Adeyemi; Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr Rotimi Adeduntan and Engr Seyi Makinde.

 Other traditional rulers at the event include the Alake of Egba, ‎Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo,  the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi and the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo.

Members of the Olubadan-In-Council in attendance were high chiefs Lekan Balogun (Otun Olubadan), Rashidi Ladoja (Osi Olubadan), Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Otun Balogun), Olufemi Olaifa  (Osi Balogun), Eddy Oyewole (Ashipa Olubadan),Tajudeen Ajibola (Ashipa Balogun), Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Ekerin Olubadan),  Solomon Adabale (Ekerin Balogun) Chief (Mrs) Aminat Abiodun (Iyalode of Ibadanland)

The Minister of Communication; Barr. Bayo Shittu and the  Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Adebayo Adelabu were also in attendance.

Earlier in the day,Oba Adetunji had been crowned by the 10th Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Idowu Popoola at the chief’s palace at Oja Oba.

Clad in the traditional Aso-Oke, the new oba arrived in a Peugeot 307 CC 180 with registration number KJA 701 DZ, to commence the traditional rites.

The new king, who also performed the calabash selection aspect of the crowning rituals , picked the Money Calabash, an indication  that his reign would bring prosperity to the city.


The 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“This is under section 20 sub-section 01 OYS LN 2000. The uniqueness of Olubadan chieftaincy is such that the new Olubadan had climbed 23 steps from the Balogun line, starting from Jagun over a period of 38 years.

“Oba Adetunji is a business tycoon and foremost indigenous music recording and marketing guru. He founded Omo Aje Sound Studio, Adetunji Records and Babalaje Records. His companies discovered many talents and nurtured them to stardom; among them is the foremost Juju musician, Wasiu Ayinde.”

While announcing that the state government was taking steps to review chieftaincy system of Ibadan land, Ajimobi described the throne of Olubadan as the symbol of peace and unity in Ibadan land.

“Olubadan must remember always that he stands at the head of an enlightened and articulate community, and that he is faced with the task of building a new society in a celebrated pedestal with a distinguished predecessor.

Guests in attendance included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari as well as Governors Ayo Fayose, Akinwunmi Ambode, Rochas Okorocha, Rauf Aregbesola and Ibikunle Amosun of Ekiti, Lagos, Imo, Ogun and Osun States.

 

Read more about Olubadan Coronation

Olufemi Atoyebi - The Punch and Wole Adejumo, The Anchor Online publisher wrote this report.
Put together by Lashley Oladigbolu