Ibadan Now Proud of Having Many Obas, Says Afolabi

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi described the recent elevation of members of the Olubadan Advisory Council to beaded crown wearing traditional rulers as a very good development.

Afolabi, also the Chairman, Royal Committee that organised the first coronation anniversary of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun,

He made the remark yesterday at the reception held at the Jogor Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium road, Oke-Ado, Ibadan as part of the anniversary activities. 

A release by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, quoted Afolabi to have said “with 10 Obas and one Imperial Majesty, Ibadan can now be said to be a metropolis with more than an Oba and for which we are all proud of.”

All the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council except Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, were crowned as Royal Majesties by Oba Balogun on July 7 at the ancient Mapo Hall.

Afolabi said the programme was organized to celebrate Oba Balogun’s first year on the throne, which according to him, had been very peaceful and eventful.

He charged Ibadan indigenes wherever they may be to identify with the cause of Ibadanland, stressing that this identification should go beyond membership of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII). 

He maintained that the celebration would be an annual one with the permission of His Imperial Majesty, who gave the express approval as he equally requested for support of Ibadan sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora to heed the calls of the committee whenever they are called upon. 

Afolabi used the occasion to express gratitude to other members of the committee, including the new Ajiroba of Ibadanland, Prof. Soji Adejumo, former Oyo State Head of Service (HoS) and Bobajiro of Ibadanland, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, former Senator for Oyo South, Dr. Kola Balogun, Ghani Kayode Balogun and the new Agba Ofin of Ibadanland, Mr. Mobolaji Ayorinde (SAN), among many others.

The programme also had in attendance prominent personalities including politicians, business men and women, members of academia and traditional rulers including some of the members of Olubadan Advisory Council, some Baales led by their President and Baale Ekotedo, Dr. Taye Ayorinde, Mogajis and several others. 

Highlight of the colourful event was the re-launch of the compendium specially packaged for the anniversary celebration.