Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde on Friday officially presented staff of Office to High Chiefs of Ibadanland who were elevated to the status of beaded crown Obas, as one of the High Chiefs and former Governor of Oyo state, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland Senator Radhidi Ladoja was absent at the ceremony.
The elevated Ibadan High Chiefs whose coronation ceremony took place at the ancient Mapo Hall Oja-Oba Ibadan, are representing the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun at the 11 local government traditional councils in Ibadanland.
The newly elevated High Chiefs are from the Balogun and Olubadan lines From the Balogun line are ; HRM Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin, Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland,HRM Oba Kola Adegbola, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Dada Isioye,Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland,and HRM Oba Abiodun Azeez, Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland.
From the Olubadan Line, the new Obas are; HRM Oba Rasheed Ladoja, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole,Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland and HRM Oba Adebayo Akande, Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The newly beaded crown Obas had earlier received blessings from the head of the Labosinde family said to be the traditional Kingmaker of Ibadanland.
Governor Makinde noted that the elevated of the High Chiefs was borne out of the need to reform Chieftaincy laws in Oyo state.
The governor noted the promotion of the Obas does not make them higher than than the Olubadan of Ibadanland who has the consenting authority to.
While congratulating the Olubadan for making history Governor Makinde charged the newly promoted kings to do the needful for their subjects.
He said anyone who feels aggrieved over the development should seek redress in court boasting that such bid will fail as due process was followed in the review of the Chieftaincy laws of Oyo state.
Earlier in his address at the occasion, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II at the elevation ceremony described the occasion as history adding that day wouldn’t have come to be without the approval to the request for the elevation of the members of his Council (Olubadan Advisory Council) to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas by the state governor, Seyi Abiodun Makinde.
The Olubadan pointed out Ibadan has a very unique traditional system which will continue to evolve and respond to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate.
He explained that the differences between this current approach and the previous exercise as cynically dismissed as a repeat of what was done by the Abiola Ajimobi administration, saying that the singular fact that, Olubadan, as the Prescribed and Consenting Authority of Ibadan traditional system among other changes are more than enough to change the narratives.
“This particular occasion is not for a long speech where one can go on educating the public on the imperatives of what we are doing here today, but suffice to say and happily too that there’s a consensus on the need for some of our Baales in Ibadanland to wear crowns and be addressed as Obas.
“I have heard people hammering the uniqueness of our Ibadan traditional system and painting the picture of trying to alter it with what we are doing with this elevation. Far from it. The system remains as it is as nothing changes in our succession plan and the titles with which our High Chiefs are elevated remain, both in nomenclatures and functions.
“Another notable observation worthy of public clarification has to do with the fear of the stool of Olubadan losing respect, honour and prestige because of the elevation of the High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas as Royal Majesties. I don’t think it can happen or I don’t see it happening because the stool of Olubadan is a sacred one that nobody dares desecrate for whatever reason or purpose.
“What’s more, today’s High Chiefs are tomorrow’s Olubadans and the law of what you sow, you will reap or the admonition of our forefathers that when you want to go and bury your senior brother nakedly, take along your younger brother (Eni to ba fe lo sin egbon e ni ihoho, ko ranti mu aburo re lowo) should remain our guide.
“Suffice to add that today’s programme is two-phased with the elevation of some of our Baales in Ibadanland to Obas as Royal Highnesses coming up as the phase two and at a later date. So, my brother Baales’ minds should be at peace and begin their own preparation for a similar outing within the shortest possible date. He said.