Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
Amidst tight security, history was made on Sunday in the ancient city of Ibadanland, as Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, performed the first mass coronation in the history of the state as he presented instrument of office to 21 newly promoted High Chiefs and Baales now Obas.
The new monarchs were installed at a ceremony held at Mapo Hall, Oja'ba area of the capital city.
However despite being made the royal father of the event, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, was conspicuously absent at the ceremony.
Also absent was the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja who is one of the High Chiefs recommended for promotion to become Oba.
It would be recalled that Oba Adetunji had issued a statement dissociating himself and his office as the paramount ruler of Ibadanland from the event threatening not to attend.
Ladoja on the other hand had approached the state High Court, praying the court to declare the proposed Olubadan Chieftancy review illegal.
But Governor Ajimobi in his speech at the ceremony insisted that the action of the state government was in accordance with the law, stating that he was not changing the history but promoting and elevating the Ibadan traditional hierarchy.
He said the coronation of the new Obas would not undermine the authority of the Olubadan nor alter the Olubadan succession arrangements in anyway,
adding that his administration is rather consolidating and elevating the status of Olubadan.
The governor accused some individuals of manipulating and influencing the mind of Oba Adetunji after he had gotten an understanding and mutual agreement with the monarch after series of meetings.
While assuring that he has no grudge with any individual on the role they might have played in resisting the move, Ajimobi noted that Olubadan remains his father and nothing can ever come in between them
The governor further disclosed that the coronation and promotion of the Obas had the support of Ibadan Elders Forum, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, community leaders and many prominent indigenes of Ibadan, noting that all the new Obas as stakeholders also desire the elevation and promotion of the Olubadan Chieftaincy titles to be in line with modern trend and realities.
He then challenged the new Obas to use their new position to develop the people and the state, urging them to distance themselves from partisan politics that could have negative effect on their position.
The newly coronated Obas include eight members of the Olubadan-In-Council who will now be addressed as Royal Majesties and newly promoted Baales who will now become Obas with Royal Highness as prefix before their respective names.
The eight High Chiefs who are now Obas are:
HRM Oba Senator Lekan Balogun- The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin- Balogun of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola- Osi Balogun of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole Foko- Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe- Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi- Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland
HRM Oba Kolawole Adegbola- Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland
HRM Oba S. Amidu Ajibade- Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland
While the 13 Baales who are now Obas are:
HRH Oba Lasisi Akano- Onijaye of Ijaye
HRH Oba Ismaila Abioye Opeola- Oniroko of Iroko
HRH Oba Moses Olasunkanmi Akinyosoye- Onikereku of Ikereku
HRH Oba Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo- Ololodo of Olodo
HRH Oba Victor Sunday Okunola - Elegbeda of Egbeda
HRH Oba Gbolagade Muritala Balalola- Onido of Ido
HRH Oba Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas -Alakufo of Akufo
HRH Oba Wahab Olabamiji Okedina- Oloke of Okelade-Okin
HRH Oba Dauda Omotoso- Alawotan of Awotan
HRH Oba Adeboye Oyelowo Salako- Olofa of Offa
HRH Oba Rafiu Alawusa- Onilagun of Lagun
HRH Oba Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo - Alaba of Aba-Nla
HRH Oba James Oladipo Obisesan - Alakanran of Akanran.
