Ibadan Agog For Olubadan’s Installation

• City Wears New Look • Citizens List Expectations
THE coast is now clear for the installation of High Chief Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji on Friday, March 4, 2016, as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, after what appeared to be a battle royale between the Olubadan-in-council and Chief Adebayo Oyediji, head of Seriki line, which is laying claim to the stool.

After the emergence of Adetunji, the most senior in rank to mount the throne, following the death of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, Oyedeji had approached the State High Court to restrain the Olubadan-in-council from installing Adetunji as the next Olubadan, pending the determination of the application earlier filed by himself and other Seriki Chiefs, but the court threw away the suit.

Though the Olubadan-designate, Adetunji said his coronation was delayed because of the need to give the late Odugade a befitting burial, it was gathered that legal concerns couldn’t be ruled out of the delay.

At present, Ibadan is already agog, as the city is set to witness the crowning of the new monarch at the popular Oja’ba Square, Ibadan, by the Oluwo Afobaje (the kingmakers) of Ibadanland.

The whole city has worn a new look, as part of preparations to receive special guests from all walks of life. The city is wearing a carnival-like mood, as visitors are trooping-in by the minute.

As at the weekend, his residence at Popoyemoja, the Ile Alusekere area, in Ibadan Southwest Local Government of the state, has become a Mecca of sort, to sons and daughters of Ibadanland, including non-indigenes.

Ibadan citizens are very optimistic that the Olubadan-designate would build on the successes of the late Olubadan, whose virtues of hard work, devotion to duty, honesty and straight forwardness stood him out, among other monarchs, until his demise on January 19, 2016, at the ripe age of 102 years.

The Marketing Consultant of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Lanre Alabi, who described the late Olubadan as a disciplinarian, reputable politician and a trained Administrative Officer in the Army, said the late monarch’s major regret was that the proposed Ibadan State was not created in his life time.

Alabi, who described the new monarch, Adetunji, as a business icon, a socialite and successful trader, said much is expected of him to bring unprecedented transformation to the entire Ibadanland. “Ibadanland has 11 local governments, we expect the new monarch to bring rapid economic growth. We urge him to use his wealth of experience to bring investors and new businesses to the land; no doubt, Ibadan will benefit a lot during his reign.”

A resident of the city, Madam Ibilola Majekodunmi said the onus now rests squarely on the new Olubadan to raise the bar and meet high expectations of the people by putting necessary machinery in motion to transform the ancient town beyond what the late Oba did.

She noted that Adetunji should map out strategies to reposition Ibadanland and empower the people socially, economically and culturally. “There is need to attract more investors to the city for industrialisation and provide employment for the teeming youths. Getting youths in the area to be positively engaged would certainly go a long way to bring out their innate ability for creativity and thereby engender meaningful development of Ibadanland.

Adetunji is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Babalaje Music, with king Wasiu Ayinde Marshall and other reputable artistes on its record label. He is a business icon, a socialite and successful trader as well.