TheCable

Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, will witness the biggest coronation event in its history on Sunday as governor Abiola Ajimobi will crown 30 kings in one fell swoop.

The coronation will take place at the historic Mapo Hall.

The 30 are among the 32 recommended by the Akintunde Boade-led judicial panel on the review of the 1957 Ibadan chieftaincy declaration.

On Friday, secretary to the government presented letters to some of the new monarchs at a ceremony held at the historic House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Ibadan.

The governor had on May 19 inaugurated the panel based on several requests received by the state government.

The panel on August 18 submitted its report, recommending that 11 Olubadan high chiefs and 21 baales be allowed to wear the beaded crown in Ibadan.

Those who received the letters were nine high chiefs of the Olubadan-in-council and 21 baales who were elevated to obaship status in line with the government white paper.

Apart from senator Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor and Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland, as well as two deceased members, eight other high chiefs were on hand to receive their conferment letters.

According to the letter dated August 25, 2017, and signed by the permanent secretary, ministry of local governments and chieftaincy matters, Olawunmi Ogunesan, the new titles take immediate effect.

The letter stated that the title qualifies the new obas to wear the royal beaded crown, with the high chiefs are to be addressed as royal majesty and the baales should be addressed as royal highness.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, it added, would henceforth be addressed as imperial majesty.

“The government rested its powers of the confirmation of the Obaship title on section 28(I) Cap. Vol. 1 of the Chiefs Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000,” it said.