March 11, (THEWILL) – Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, has presented the staff of office to the new Olubadan, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun, Ali Okunmade II, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Presenting the Staff of Office to the 42nd Olubadan, the Governor prayed for a peaceful and prosperous reign and urged the Olubadan to be a Father to all.
The coronation ceremony, which commenced on Monday with traditional rites, climaxed on Friday at the ancient Mapo Town Hall in Ibadan South-East local government area, with many dignitaries present.
Among the dignitaries at the coronation ceremony were Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice-President Atiku Abubarkar, Gov Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Deputy Governor of Osun, Benedict Alabi and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Also at the event were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; and Ambassador of Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun.
Oba Yusuf Adeleye, the Olubaka of Okaland in Ondo State; Oluwo of Iwoland; the Ikere of Saki, Aseyin of Iseyin, former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja and a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, were also present.
The ceremony was officially declared open at exactly 11:14am with the recitation of the National Anthem, Oyo State Anthem as well as Ibadan Anthem.
The opening prayers were said by Christians, Muslims and the traditional prayer by the Araba Awo of Ibadanland.
Also, Moshood Ayanyemi, Atookowagbowo led other Ibadan drummers to welcome the guests and well-wishers to the occasion in a traditional way.
However, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was ushered into the venue at exactly 11:50am, after which all the traditional chiefs, Mogajis, religious leaders, leaders of various associations in Ibadanland paid homage to Oba Balogun.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of staff of office and instrument of office to the newly installed Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.
In his brief speech, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun said, “I will not let Ibadan down, I will not let Nigeria down, I thank the Vice-President, who came to represent the President, the former Vice President, the Ooni, Alaafin and other dignitaries present here.
Balogun was confirmed as the Olubadan designate following the death of Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Oguguniso 1 on January 2.
The new Olubadan, a descendant of the Aliwo, a prominent family of warriors in the City of Ibadan.
