The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has elevated four high chiefs in the Balogun Chieftaincy Line, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, High Chief Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli.

The promotion exercise took place at the Banquet Hall of the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.

Those elevated were Oba Dauda Abiodun Azeez, who was promoted from Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland to Osi Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Akeem Mob olaji Adewoyin, promoted from Ekerin Balogun to Asipa Balogun; High Chief Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, promoted from Ekarun Balogun to Ekerin Balogun; and High Chief Samuel Adegboyega Adeniran, elevated from Ekarun Balogun to Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland.

In a message to the newly promoted chiefs, contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, Ladoja congratulated them and acknowledged their support in the past.

The monarch urged them to sustain their cooperation with the palace in advancing the interests of Ibadanland, particularly in the areas of mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, security, unity and developmental projects.

He charged the newly elevated chiefs to make the progress and wellbeing of Ibadanland a priority in the discharge of their traditional responsibilities.

Oba Ladoja said: “As high-ranking traditional rulers in Ibadanland, you must do all in your power to attract investors to Ibadanland.”

He also urged them, as custodians of the cultural heritage of Ibadanland, to ensure the promotion and preservation of the city’s traditional and cultural values.

In a related development, representatives of Baales from across Yorubaland paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan and members of the Olubadan Advisory Council at the palace on Friday.
Receiving the delegation, Ladoja commended the visitors for the existing peace, unity and cordial relationship among traditional rulers across Yorubaland.

The monarch reiterated his position that Ibadan remains a home for all Yorubas, noting that many prominent Yoruba leaders and eminent personalities had passed through the city and maintained ancestral homes there.

He also granted the request of Baales in the South-West to have a place in Ibadan to serve as their headquarters.

Earlier, the convener of the visit, Baale Amuwo Odofin, thanked the Olubadan for the warm reception accorded the delegation despite the short notice of the visit.

He said the delegation came to seek the monarch’s royal blessings and pledge its support for Yoruba leaders and the development of Yorubaland.

The convener also presented a certificate of award to Oba Ladoja in recognition of his contribution to promoting peaceful coexistence and preserving Yoruba traditional and cultural values.

Members of the Olubadan-in-Council, representatives of the Iyalode Line, Mogajis, Baales and other dignitaries attended the occasion.