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.
The need to embrace peace and religious tolerance took center stage at the Agodi Eid prayer ground in Ibadan where Muslims gathered to mark the Eid-El Kabir celebration.
Our reporter, Oluwakayode Banjo, who was on the ground, reports that the faithful trooped into the prayer ground in their numbers, clad in beautiful attires with exciting faces.
In a sermon, the Chief Imam of Ibadan land, Alhaji Abdulganiyy Agbotomokekere, called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in order to pave way for meaningful development in the country.
Similarly, Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, represented by the Otun Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola urged Muslims as well as all residents of Oyo State to shun any act that could affect peace in the society.
Also, Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District and APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin said every resident should be a peace lover.
Senator Folarin also advised politicians to ensure that the build-up to the 2023 general elections is dominated by issue-based campaigns.
Radio Nigeria reports that Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola and Deputy National Chairman, Southwest, PDP, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja were also present at the Agodi Eid ground.
Similarly, Chief Imam of Ansarydeen Society Oyo State Council Dr Bashir Eleshinmeta has urged Nigerians to imbibe the tenets of religion to make the country a better nation.
Dr Bashir Eleshinmeta made the call in an interview with Radio Nigeria on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir
He admonished Nigerians to utilize valuable religious teachings in their interpersonal relationships and to shun tribalism.
Circuit President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat Ibadan Circuit, Alhaji Moruf Olubajo, pointed out that the country was witnessing a challenging time, stressing that it was time to turn to God for a solution.
Alhaji Olubajo noted the love for God and neighbour should be the hallmark of true worshipers
On his part, National Missioner Jama-At –Ul Islamiyya of Nigeria and Overseas Alhaji Kareem Adeleke, urged the Muslim faithful to be security conscious.
Alhaji Adeleke made the call in an interview during the Eid-El Kabir prayer at Challenge Eid ground.
He explained that given the current threat to lives in the country, it was vital that the faithful be mindful of activities around, and report any suspicious acts to law enforcement agencies.
The Missioner said Nigerians should not allow the current situation to affect their faith in Allah.
Alhaji Adeleke however urged the government to tidy up loose ends in the country’s security architecture.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on traditional rulers in the country to continue to play a vital role in securing their communities and domains.
The Vice President made the call at an event in Ibadan tagged “the dancing steps of Olubadan”, which was organized by the Yoruba World Center on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ọlálékan Balogun.
Vice President Osinbajo, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Niyi Akintola, said the roles of traditional rulers in the security of lives and property could not be overemphasized, hence the need for them to live up to expectations, especially at a time the nation is bedeviled with security challenges.
Vice President Osinbajo also implored traditional rulers in Yoruba land to always enlighten their people in order not to allow any act to cause division among the race.
Professor Osinbajo heaped praises on the Olubadan of Ibadan land for his fatherly role which had come to bear within his first 100 days on the throne.
He equally commended the organizer of the event, noting that such an occasion was crucial to preserving the Yoruba Culture.
In a remark, Chairman on the occasion, Ọtun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who was represented by the APC Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Alhaji Sharafadeen Allí, urged Yorubas not to allow anything, especially politics bring disunity among them.
Convener of the event and Publisher of Alaroye newspaper, Mr Alao Adedayo said the ceremony was organized to promote and showcase the rich culture of Yoruba to the world.
All documents regarding the next occupant of the Olubadan of Ibadan land stool are ready and will be tendered for approval by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadan land, Chief Tajudeen Ajibola who stated this while speaking on behalf of the Olubadan-in Council during the press conference held at the Mapo Hall said High Chief Lekan Balogun would be the next king.
Chief Ajibola assured that all the necessary procedures in the Olubadan Ascension plan are being followed to the letter.
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun while commiserating with the family of the late Oba on the sudden home call of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso I, prayed that the Almighty God to whom all mortals shall return will accept his return, forgive his sins and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
High Chief Balogun also explained that, by way of duty, as the Prime Minister of the Olubadan-in-Council, they owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligations to inform and update them about latest developments.
He said it was no longer news that the much revered Oba Adetunji has joined his ancestors.
Chief Balogun described the late Oba Adetunji as a peace-loving and outstanding custodian of culture and tradition who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership.
He noted that the late Olubadan would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland.
The Otun Olubadan also said, “I wish to commiserate with the Chief Mourner, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde and members of his cabinet who had been privileged to interact and intimately relate with the late Kabiyesi to sustain the peace and development of Oyo State. There is no doubting the fact that Your Excellency would sorely miss the late Oba if only for his fatherly counsels on matters of administrative importance to the state”.
“My heartfelt condolence message also extends to the entire royal dignitaries of the Olubadan-in-Council as well as the members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, on the sudden demise of the late Kabiyesi and I pray that the Almighty Allah grants you all the fortitude to bear the loss, Chief Balogun said.
“I also commiserate with the peace-loving people of Ibadanland on the sudden transition to the eternity of the late great monarch and I enjoin you all to remain peaceful in all your conducts in order to sustain our unequalled historical peaceful co-existence for which Ibadanland is globally known for”, the High Chief admonished.
He, therefore, enjoined the people of Oyo to discard all unfounded rumours and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanates.
“In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when an occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the city is strictly followed” High Chief Balogun added.
