Oba Owolabi Olakulehin Crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland

In a colourful coronation took place at the ancient Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the state capital on Friday, 12 July 2024, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43^rd Olubadan.

The next-to-nonagenarian Olakuleyin took the staff of Office of Olubadan of Ibadan almost four month after the demise of the 42^nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who passed on, on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

As the tradition may have it, palace drummers and chanters had moved from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale palace of Ọba Olakuleyin, signaling his symbolic ascension to the throne.

Albeit, the coronation and handing over of staff of office to the 43^rd  Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin has demonstrated that Ibadanland and Ibadan people remain indivisible and can be resilient.

While presenting the staff and instrument of office to the monarch, the governor said, “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.”

The nation remains grateful for this abiding legacy of the Olubadan dynasty, which has been a beacon of stability with its unique succession route to the throne, a tradition established since 1851.

“Those who have been focusing on what divides us have been put to shame today. We have taken the crown to the Aremo Church which is my church. We have taken the crown to Ona Ara Local Government where I come from. We have taken the crown to the Ibadan North East Local Government where I come from," said the Governor.

 “I greet the Kabiyesi and I pray that God shall elongate your years. You shall reign for long on the throne of your forefathers. I congratulate all Ibadan sons and daughters; God shall continue to be with us,” he prayed.

Dignitaries attended the coronation include the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Olubadan-In-Council led by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Governor of Oyo state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar.