• Congratulates monarch on enthronement as 44th Olubadan of Ibadan
• Presidency’s advance team arrives in Ibadan ahead of coronation
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, congratulated the former Governor of Oyo State and 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, on his formal ascension to the throne, urging him not to compete traditional roles with political rulership.
He gave the advice in a statement by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Obasanjo, who is currently in New York for the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, charged Ladoja, whom he greeted in a Yoruba royal salutation, “Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese,” to separate traditions from politics while steering the affairs of his kingdom.
He stressed that Ladoja’s new position requires humility and tolerance and that his coronation was just a formality, admonishing him to focus on preserving cultural heritage, customs, and community values rather than engaging in politics.
Meanwhile, indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu will be in Ibadan tomorrow for the coronation of Oba Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
A source said that an advance team from the Presidency landed at the newly upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport at exactly 9:14 a.m., drawing excitement from those present.
The flight, which preceded the President’s expected arrival tomorrow, September 26, 2025, marked the airport’s first operation since its closure in March for an upgrade to international standards.
The successful landing highlighted the airport’s readiness to handle high-profile flights, setting a positive precedent for future arrivals and departures.
