The Governor of Oyo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde today Friday, presented the Staff of Office and the Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan. The coronation ceremony had the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR; Govs. Dapo Abiodun and Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Ogun and Lagos respectively; and the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal. Others are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja; among others.
Making the presentation at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, Gov. Makinde declared: “By the power conferred upon me as the Governor by sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 20 of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 Vol.1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, I hereby present the Instrument/Staff of Office, which symbolises your authority as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.”
With this coronation, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin succeeded the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun.
It is important to note that from the time that one Olubadan assumes the throne, the next person is already known – no arguments. This is due to the entrenched monarchical system which was developed in the cultural city since eons.