Ladoja to be crowned 44th Olubadan on September 26

The coronation ceremony of Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland has been fixed for September 26.

NAN reports that Adeola Oloko, media aide to Lodoja, said the event will be held at the Mapo Hall, Oja-Oba, Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

The date for the coronation was set after Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, approved Ladoja’s nomination for the throne.

The approval followed a meeting on Wednesday between the state government delegation and Ladoja, as well as members of the Olubadan advisory council.

The state government is yet to issue a statement on the development.

Lodoja, a former governor of Oyo state, was nominated by the Olubadan-in-council on August 4 following the death of the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7.

Addressing well-wishers who thronged his Bodija residence on Tuesday to welcome him back home, Ladoja said he did not expect to be ascending the throne so soon.

“When I heard of Kabiyesi’s (Oba Olakulehin’s) death, it was so painful to me because I told myself that I wasn’t ready. I thought he would reign for maybe five to 10 years, but the deed has been done,” he said.

The Olubadan-designate noted that it took him 31 years since October 1, 1993, when he was installed as Jagun Balogun, to reach the top of the hierarchy.

He said many of those, including his former deputy, Alao-Akala, MKO Abiola, and Lamidi Adedibu, who witnessed his installation as Jagun, are no longer alive, noting that it means his purpose in life has not been fully fulfilled.