All Hail the King, a New Sheriff in Town ~ ‘Kayode Ajani

As we officially witness the installation and coronation of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, I join all sons and daughters of Ibadanland, including the residents of this ancient city, in celebration.

Ibadan is renowned for its unique chieftaincy system, which has made succession to the throne a stress-free process, contributing significantly to the relative peace in our land. Undoubtedly, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin’s ascension comes with its own challenges, which I have previously referred to as human factors. Now, before Kabiesi is the developmental agenda of Ibadanland (Ile-badan).

It is essential for my readers to understand that Ibadan is not just an ordinary city; it is a megalopolis. This literally means ‘Ile-badan,’ a city consisting of many smaller cities, and most importantly, a city without end—one city encompassing of 63 towns and 3,089 villages.

Oba Owolabi is a successful businessman and an accomplished military war veteran who served in the Nigerian Army and fought in the Second World War. He is also a notable public administrator, having won the Federal House of Representatives election under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the aborted Third Republic.

Kabiesi became Mogaji in 1983 and climbed the ascension ladder in 1986 as Jagun Balogun, spending 38 years in royal learning through the ascension ladder. As I have highlighted in various radio interviews, the 38 years Kabiesi spent climbing the ladder is a notable tradition of royal learning. He has been entrusted with numerous royal responsibilities, preparing him well for this significant role. While age might pose a slight challenge, Kabiesi’s years of royal learning and the support of various administrative arms derived from the Olubadan will ease his responsibilities.

It is also noteworthy that Kabiesi understands how these administrative arms work. He has been a member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Council of Ibadan Mogajis, and has been involved in the activities of the Council of Baales, despite not being a formal member. His deep involvement in these administrative arms over the years shows that he is not an outsider; he is well-prepared to deliver, especially with the support of these bodies.

As an indigene, I have my reservations about the long road to the throne. However, the beauty of this system, which seems to be forgotten, is that it allows a son of ‘nobody’ who is industrious to become the Olubadan. In Ibadan, all families are royal families, making us all Princes and Princesses.

In this new dispensation, I look forward to the Olubadan, with the cooperation of the Olubadan-in-Council and traditional stakeholders, including the State Government, reviewing the elevation of High Chiefs to Obas, thereby resolving all controversies surrounding the matter.

Our expectations are high for the new Olubadan, and I believe it is the duty of all sons and daughters, including the residents, to support His Majesty as he ascends the throne of our ancestors.

Long live the King.

‘Kayode Ajani is an Indigene of Ibadan and writes from Mapo hill.
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Official: Olubadan-in Council nominates Oba Olakulehin as 43rd Olubadan

The Olubadan-in Council on Friday has approved Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland according to the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

The meeting which was presided over by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rasheed Ladoja has in attendance members of the Olubadan-in-council who are traditionally the Ibadan King makers.

Our reporter leant that the motion was moved by the most senior high chief in the Balogun line that’s presenting the Olubadan, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe, the Osi Balogun, as the Otun Balogun was absent.

The Council will communicate their decision to the State Government for further confirmation and appointment.

Oba Balogun: CCII lead others to pay last respect

The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes under the leadership of Chief Barr. Sulaiman Ajeniyi Ajewole on Friday, 16th March, 2024 organised lying in state ceremony as part of the burial rites for the departed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr. Mohood Olalekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II at the ancient Mapo hall.

The function was attended by the Olubadan-in-council led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Mogajis & Baales of Ibadanland, Indigenes& residents of Ibadanland.

Following the lying in state was torrent of glowing tributes by Ibadan sos and daughters while the late monarch was finally buried at Ali-iwo, his ancestral home.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bayo Lawal led government officials to the venue while the Chief Imam of Ibadanland led the islamic rite.

Olubadan Appoints Oloye Suraj Abiola As Jagun Olubadan

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator (Dr) Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli-Okunmade II, on Saturday, 26th of March 2022 approved the appointment the Mogaji of Anlamole Compound, Oloye Suraj Abiola Iyiola, as the Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

In a letter dated 26th March, 2022, and made available to our correspondent, The Olubadan of Ibadanland said that the appointment is inline with his constitutional and traditional role as the Olubadan of Ibadan land “In exercise of my constitutional and traditional role as the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the prescribed authority over Ibadan traditional matters, after due consideration of your past service to Ibadanland, I hereby appoint you, Chief Abiola Suraj Iyiola, Mogaji Anlamole, as Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland with effect from today, 26th March, 2022.”

The implication of this appointment is that Oloye Suraj is not a potential Olubadan of Ibadan land.

Oloye Abiola Iyiola was installed as Mogaji of Anlamole Compound in 2017 and since then, he has been of tremendous service to Ibadanland in particular and Oyo State in general.

The new Jagun Olubadan had his primary school education at Saint David Primary School, Kudeti, Ibadan after which he proceeded to Eleta High School for his secondary school education. He further attended University of Ibadan and Lagos State University after which he sought further educational sojourn at University of Manchester, UK, as an awardee of Chevening Scholarship by the British Government and, also attended the Texas Southern University and University of Houston both in the United States for his postgraduate studies.

Chief Abiola Iyiola is a successful businessman, the CEO of Safeway Group of Companies. His business interests encompass many industries, including shipping and logistics, oil and gas, real estate, consumer goods and water engineering.

He is a philanthropist par excellence, whose generosity knows no bound, whose aim and wealth is for serving humanity.

The new Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland is the President, Ibadan Descendants Union, Houston Chapter. He is also the General Secretary, Ibadan Descendants Union, United States of America. As a sports lover, Oloye Abiola Iyiola is a member of Polo Club, Ibadan.

Remains of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Akanmu, Ajeogunguniso II arrives his Popoyemoja Palace in Ibadan, To be Buried by 4pm

The remains of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Akanmu Ajeogunguniso II have arrived his palace at Popoyemoja area of Ibadan.

InsideOyo.com had earlier reported that the monarch died on Sunday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Family members, lovers and sympathisers have beseeched the palace since the news broke out.
This is coming 22 days after the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewunmi joined his ancestors at the age of 95.

Oba Adetunji was crowned the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan following his coronation on March 4, 2016.
Prior to his coronation as the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadanland

Oba Adetunji was a successful businessman and Ibadan was peaceful during his reign.

Born on August 26, 1928 to the family of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji in the Alusekere compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, he was the eldest of his father’s 17 children.
His mother came from the Balogun family of Apomu while his father was a renowned Ibadan indigene.

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