Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde has officially presented staff and instruments of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Ige-Olakulehin I.
Governor Makinde presented the staff and instruments of office to Oba Olakulehin at the historic Mapo Hall, on Friday, July 12 in the presence of the Olubadan in-council and other notable dignitaries within and outside the state.
The presentation of staff and instruments of office to the monarch followed the successful completion of all traditional rites by Oba Olakulehin culminating into being crowned to mount the throne of his forebears.
Oba Olakulehin was earlier crowned at the Labosinde compound, the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland and was consequently moved to Ile Osemeji at Oja, Oba area regarded as the place where the divination on the future of Ibadan was revealed.
In his address before presenting the staff and instruments of office to Oba Olakulehin, Governor Seyi Makinde felicitated the newly crowned Olubadan and the people of Ibadanland, praying for long life and a successful reign.
He emphasized on the need for unity and cohesion in the development of the state stressing the need for people to focus on the things that unite the state rather than divide it.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, in his brief remark shortly after receiving staff and instruments of office expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde and the dignitaries who have traveled from far and near to grace the event and prayed that Ibadan shall be prosperous and witness more development in his reign.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu who is a son of the soil, felicitated the new Olubadan and the entire people of Ibadanland for the successful enthronement of their new king.
He equally noted that beyond the glamore, the event herald as prestige and enduring tradition and resilience as a people and that Ibadan traditional system of non controversial kingship model is an administration in the whole of Nigeria.
The chairman, Southern Governors Forum and governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun in his brief remarks described Oba Olakulehin’s enthronement as a dawn of new era, stressing that the event marked a significant milestone in its position among the entire Yorubaland while expressing optimism in more economically prosperous Ibadanland.
Earlier in their separate goodwill messages, Chief Adebayo Oyero and Oloye Toye Arulogun reeled out the s citation, life accomplishments, and extolled the newly crowned monarch expressing optimism that his reign will usher in more prosperity and economic development to Ibadanland.
Present at the event are Senator Sarafadeen Alli representing Oyo South senatorial district, members of House of Representatives from Oyo state, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja I and the Aare of Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, Alhaji Dawood Makanjuola, and members of Oyo state Executive Council.
Others dignitaries are governors of Lagos, Osun, and Ondo states represented by their deputies, members of Oyo state Elders and Advisory Councils, Traditional rulers from across Oyo state, religious and traditional leaders, Oyo state security chiefs, state house of assembly members, local government executive chairmen, and other notable personalities.