Culture

We will always give traditional rulers their entitlements – Makinde

By Web News 92

By Iyabo Adebisi

The Oyo State Government has pledged to uphold the rights and entitlements of traditional rulers across the state, assuring that they will be accorded the proper respect and recognition they deserve.

Governor Seyi Makinde stated this at the grand finale of the 2025 Ibadan Cultural Festival held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan.

Governor Makinde, who said the Council of Obas and Chiefs had been in abeyance before he assumed office in 2019, added that traditional rulers would begin to get their due, including official vehicles, as soon as the council is constituted. 

He added that he had mandated all the eleven local government councils in Ibadanland to provide a befitting fleet of vehicles for the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, before the end of May.

Governor Makinde thanked the people of Oyo State for supporting his government, and also the Central Council Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) for the award of recognition given to Senator Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State.

Responding, after receiving the award of Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland, the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who commended Governor Makinde for his unprecedented performances and for making the people of the state happy, thanked the CCII for recognising his efforts.

While stressing that governance is about the people, he urged them to continue to support Governor Makinde to develop the state.

Presenting the award earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, represented by Oba Rasidi Ladoja, said the award was in recognition of Senator Diri’s outstanding support, inclusive leadership and contribution to the Ibadan Indigenes in Bayelsa State.

Also, the Chairman of the event, who is also the chairman, BOVAS Oil and Gas, Architect Bamidele Samson, urged all Ibadan people to always use the Yoruba language, culture and religion to promote tradition and cultural heritage.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Ibadan Cultural Festival, Chief Abiola Alli, thanked all the stakeholders for their contributions and performances since the week began.

Delivering his remarks, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Sulaimon Ajewole, lauded Governor Makinde’s unflinching support to the council, Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.

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Religion

We’ve brought economic stability to Oyo State – Makinde

By Web News 181

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, says his administration has been able to bring about a level of economic stability in the state with the monthly payment of about 24 billion naira in salaries to state and local government workers.

The governor stated this when Muslim faithful, comprising clerics, traditional rulers and political office holders at the federal, state and local government levels paid a visit to his Ikolaba, Ibadan home, shortly after the Eid-el-Fitri prayers at the Eid Ground, Agodi, Ibadan.

He said his government’s commitment to expanding the economy of the state has also been yielding results in terms of private sector investments, as more private sector players have become comfortable investing in the state.

The delegation, which was led by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; Senator representing Oyo South, Oloye Sharafadeen Alli; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and Professor Kamil Oloso, among others.

While addressing the delegation, the governor congratulated the Muslim Ummah on witnessing the end of Ramadan and the Eid-el-Fitri 2025.

He lauded them for their prayers, patriotism and commitment to the state as well as their support for his government, noting that the economic stability and developments being witnessed in the state were as a result of the peace and harmonious coexistence among residents of the state.

While noting that the new Oyo State is renowned for peace, unity and harmony, the governor urged all residents to work hard to sustain the atmosphere, adding that every good thing they desire for the state is tied to the existence of peace and harmony in the state.

“One of those things we desire is economic stability in our state. Now, every four weeks, N24 billion gets into the economy of Oyo State through workers’ salaries. The wage bill of the state is now around N14 billion, while that of the local government is about N10 billion.”

“Similarly on the private sector side, a lot of people are now comfortable to come and invest in Oyo State and we have seen quite a lot of investments. Yesterday, we were at the Ijaiye Farm Settlement because of the Farmers’ Wholesale Market that is coming in there. I went there to inspect the place and you will be surprised that in that settlement, we have 27,000 hectares of land. We have asked them to carve out just 3,000 hectares out of the 27,000 for that project.”

“Let me also say this; political office holders across the country should do their best to improve things, because it has been a difficult and challenging period for the people, but as they say, tough times don’t last, only tough people do”, Governor Makinde explained.

Delivering the message of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja called for patience among the people of Oyo State and urged them to remain steadfast and hopeful in the face of challenges.

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Agriculture

POWA Seeks Collaboration for Women in Agriculture

By Web News 240

By Olawale Asake

Wife of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the President, Police Officers Wives’ Association, POWA, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun has called for stakeholders collaboration to empower Young Women in Agriculture to further solve the issue of food insecurity in the country. 

Mrs Egbetokun made the call when she led the Management of the Association to the Residence of Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at Alalubosa Estate, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The wife of the IGP said, the roles of women in the society could not be underestimated, hence the need for them to be empowered, supported and encouraged to also contribute their quota through Agribusiness to national development.

Mrs Egbetokun assured of POWA’s commitment to enhancing the productivity of Women in Agriculture to improve their livelihood and income.

She sought the blessings of the Olubadan-Designate in her efforts at making women particularly members of her Association self reliant and playing active roles at homes as good and virtuous women.

Responding, the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who spoke through the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe commended the wife of the Inspector General of Police and her team for the visit, saying, the visit was the first from the Federal Authorities since the nomination of Oba Olakulehin as Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He promised to give priority to gender equality and respect women in the Society, irrespective of Religious, Tribe or Status.

On the entourage of Mrs Egbetokun were Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, wives of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Zone 12 and 17, some Wives of Assistants Inspector-General, AIGs,  and those of Commissioners of Police, While Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola joined the Olubadan-Designate to receive the Team.

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Culture

Oba Olakulehin Praises Predecessor

By Web News 446

By Olawale Asake

Olubadan- designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has described the Late, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun as an epitome of unity, oneness, and love who brought more developments to Ibadanland.

The Olubadan-designate, Oba Olakulehin who paid a visit to the family House of late Oba Lekan Balogun at Ali-Iwo Area, Ibadan, Oyo State was accompanied on the visit by Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba  Kolawole Adegbola.

Oba Olakulehin who spoke through Oba Lateef Adebimpe described the visit as historic, adding that there was never rancour among the members of Olubadan Advisory Council during the reign of Oba Balogun.

The Olubadan-designate urged the members of Ali-Iwo family to be thankful to God for the life and times of their departed patriarch whose reign was short but impactful.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the younger brother of the Late Ibadan, Senator Kola Balogun, appreciated Oba Olakulehin for the heroic and historic visit, emphasizing that it had never happened in the history that Olubadan-designate visited the family of his predecessor.

On the ground to receive the Olubadan-Designate were the wives of the late Oba Lekan Balogun, family members, and some of his Children.

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Culture

Traditional Rulers, Eminent Personalities Pay Homage to Olubadan Designate

By Web News 355

By Olawale Asake

The Alalubosa residence of the Olubadan Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been a beehive of activities with individuals and groups paying homage to the recently nominated 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Among the people who have recently visited the Olubadan Designate include a Prominent Business Mogul, Chief Bode Amao and Former President- General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII,  Chief Bayo Oyero, Former Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Prof. Adekunle Adeniran and Venerable Olatunde Alamu.

Several groups have also visited the Monarch including members of the Ibadan Kingmakers led by Oba Lateef Adebimpe, Iyalode line of the Ibadan Traditional Council led by the Otun Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Amudalat Adekunle, Leading top Anglican Clerics to the Oba was The Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa and Mogajis of Ibadan families with Aare Egbe Mogaji – Asimiyu Ariori as Head.

On Monday, 29th of April, 2024, The Royal Highnesses made up of Obas under the Royal Majesties in the Ibadan Obaship structure were at the Monarch’s palace to pay their respects. Leading the 14 Royal Highnesses was The Oniroko Of Iroko, Oba Olasunkanmi Opeola, who expressed delight and satisfaction at the condition in which they met Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and prayed for his long and successful tenure as the 43rd Olubadan.

In his words, “The Royal Highnesses are here today to pay obeisance to Kabiyesi as he prepares to ascend the throne of his forefathers. Oba Olakulehin has been good to us and was very instrumental to our installation as Royal Highnesses. It will therefore be unforgivable if we don’t come to pay homage and respects to our benefactor. Our prayer is for God’s guidance, protection, peaceful and long reign as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland”

On Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024, the Association of Traditional Baales also took their turn to pay homage to the Oba Olakulehin. The Traditional Baales who are the Ibadan less City were led by Baale Folorunso Ige – Baale of Olohunde Ige in Oluyole Local Government saying they are looking forward to the colourful and peaceful coronation of Oba Olakulehin that will usher in a tenure of greater growth and development in Ibadanland.

All these visits are coming in the wake of the preparations for the coronation ceremony of Oba Olakulehin following his nomination as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Ibadan Traditional Kingmakers and the much-anticipated approval and announcement by the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde.

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Culture

New Olubadan Emerges

By Web News 1989

By Olawale Asake

Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has been appointed as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Olubadan-in-Council which is the Traditional Kingmakers of Ibadanland agreed to name Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan, being the Most Senior High Chief in the Balogun line of Olubadan chieftaincy ascension.

He was nominated by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe.

The meeting of the Council is ongoing at the Olubadan Palace, Oja Oba, Ibadan.

Present at the meeting included the Nominee who is the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

Details later

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