OYO State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Sunday, installed 21 obas in Ibadan, in the first mass coronation of obas in the history of Ibadan, held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
However, the father of the day and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who had earlier dissociated himself from the ceremony, was conspicuously absent at the coronation ceremony.
Oba Adetunji had earlier issued a statement dissociating himself and his office as the paramount ruler of Ibadanland from the event, maintaining his position not to attend.
Also, the Osi Olubadan and a former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, was absent, despite being one of the 11 Ibadan High Chiefs who were conferred with the obaship title of ‘His Royal Majesty’.
At the occasion, the obas were also presented instruments of office in the colourful ceremony with famous Ibadan-based Fuji musician, Rashidi Ayinde on bandstand to add flavour to the event.
Governor Ajimobi, who emphasised the need for change, appealed to all stakeholders that change would not come if people did not make it happen.
His words, quoting the former president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, were: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for; we are the change that we seek.”
Although, 32 chiefs, including 11 Ibadan High Chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council and 22 baales were conferred with the obaship titles, only 21 of them were on hand to receive the instruments of office, having received their letter of conferment of the obaship titles from Governor Ajimobi two days earlier.
The 21 included eight high chiefs and 13 baales who were also promoted to oba status.
The new royal majesties who were on hand to receive their insignia and instruments of office amidst jubilations included Oba (Senator) Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland; Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole and the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Others were the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe; the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade and the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Kolawole Adegbola.
Also, the new royal highnesses who were installed and presented their instruments of office were the Onijaye of Ijaye, Oba Lasisi Akano; the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Ismaila Opeola; the Onikereku of Ikereku, Oba Moses Akinyosoye; the Ololodo of Olodo, Oba Mudasiru Adebayo and the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Victor Sunday Okunola.
Others were the Onido of Ido, Oba Gbolagade Babalola, Alakufo of Akufo, Oba Olabamiji Thomas, the Oloke of Okelade-Okin, Oba Wahab Okedina; the Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Omotoso and Olofa of Offa, Oba Adeboye Salako, the Onilagun of Lagun, Oba Rafiu Alawusa, the Alaba of Aba-Nla, Oba Tiamiyu Ladipo and Alakanran of Akanran, Oba James Obisesan.
Senator Ajimobi, who was flanked by his wife, Florence; deputy governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Speaker, House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Adeyemo and other members of the executive members of the state, said his administration was only poised to fulfill change in the history of the ancient town as started by administration before him.
The Oluwo of Ibadanland led all the monarchs to an inner chamber where all the traditional rites were performed.
Thereafter, Governor Ajimobi exercised the constitutional authortiy as the governor of the state, having taken into cognisance all the prerequisites conferred the obaship on the listed high chiefs and baales.
Declaring, Governor Ajimobi said “in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 28(i) Cap. 28 Vol. 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000, I have promoted 33 chiefs to Obas in Ibadanland today August 27, 2017. This is in line with the provisions of the recently amended 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland and the Government White Paper as conveyed in Government Gazette No 14, Notice 27 Vol.42 of 23rd August, 2017 and Gazette No 15 Notice 28 Vol. 42 of August 24, 2017 respectively.”
Speaking on the history written by the exercise, Senator Ajimobi said “stand before you today overwhelmed by a deep sense of history, a deep sense of culture, a deep sense of tradition. Today, the 27th of August 2017 indeed marks a turning point in the history and cultural heritage of Ibadanland.
“It is a day that great sons and daughters of Ibadanland have come together with a strong sense of patriotism, assembled in the historical, cultural and symbolic Mapo Hall to elevate, to uplift, to transform, to reposition the Chieftaincy Institution of Ibadanland. Our resolve to reposition the Ibadan Chieftaincy institution is substantiated by the words of the famous author, Henry James when he said ‘a tradition is kept alive only by something being added to it’.”
“I am therefore highly delighted to be here at this momentous occasion where history is being made in Ibadanland. Today, we are all gathered to witness the Crowning ceremony, Presentation of Certificates and Staff of Office to the High Chiefs who are members of the Olubadan – in Council and Thirteen (13) Baales in Ibadanland who have been elevated to the position of Obas. This is an epoch making event in the annals of the history of Ibadanland and a practical demonstration of our administration’s commitment to the enhancement of dignity and honour of the Chieftaincy Institution in Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
“I wish to state categorically that we are not changing history, we are not changing tradition, we are not changing the culture of Ibadanland; rather, we are elevating and consolidating our traditional institution, the exalted position of the Olubadan of Ibadan as the Imperial Majesty in Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council and the Chieftaincy Institution without altering or tinkering with the traditional succession and ascendancy system of the Olubadan Chieftaincy structure.
“It will interest you to know that our administration is not the first to walk down this road. Successive governments in Oyo State have engaged in reviewing the 1959 Olubadan Chieftaincy Delcaration made pursuant to the 1957 Chiefs Laws and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland.
“We have on record that in 1974, the Military Government of Western States instituted a Commission of Enquiry, the recommendations of the Commission were adopted and changes effected. In 1981, there was the Justice Adenekan Ademola Commission by the then Military Government. The recommendations of the Adenekan Ademola Commision were accepted and changes effected. In 1993, Governor Kolapo Ishola set up the Oloko Commission of Enquiry to review Chieftaincy Declarations across the state. The recommendations were received by Former Governor Lam Adesina. Upon becoming Governor, Governor Rasheed Ladoja suspended the White Paper and abrogated the recommendations of the Oloko Commission. Governor Rasheed Ladoja later set up the Adio Commission whose recommendations did not see the light of day.
“Our administration is not reinventing the wheel, we have simply like others before us, embarked on a review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration in response to the yearnings of well-meaning stakeholders, such as the Ibadan Elders Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and eminent Sons and Daughters of Ibadanland such as Chief T. A. Akinyele, Late Chief Omowale Kuye, the Former Otun Olubadan, all except one member of the Olubadan – in Council who desire to elevate the traditional chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland and position it comparably and competitively amongst other ancient Yoruba cultures who have embraced new and modern systems. They have been truly inspired by the words of Lidia Bastianich when she said “ Todays’ Innovation are tomorrrow’s tradition”.
“The event we are witnessing today is also borne out of our administration’s burning desire to redress the lopsidedness in the number of Beaded Crown Obas in Ibadanland vis-à-vis other zones in the state. While some zones have several Beaded Crown Obas, Ibadanland, which is renowned as the Political and Traditional headquarters of Yorubaland, has only one (1) Beaded Crown Oba.
“On the strength of these, I inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry on May 19, 2017, with a mandate to review the existing 1957/59 Chieftaincy Declaration of Olubadan of Ibadanland and other related Chieftaincies in Ibadanland. The commission was given four (4) weeks within which to conclude the assignment and submit its report. But as a result of the wide acceptance and popularity of the initiative, as demonstrated by the attendance, presentation of memoranda and participation at the Public hearing of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, I graciously approved an extension of time for the completion of the assignment, as requested by the Commission.
“ It is interesting to note that out of the one hundred and eighteen (118) memoranda received by the commission, ninety-one (91) memoranda requested for additional Beaded Crowns, while the remaining twenty seven (27) hinged on the review of ascendancy into the Olubadan Stool. In the end, based on merit, the Commission recommended the elevation of Eleven (11) High Chiefs in the Olubadan-in-Council and Twenty One (21) Ancient Baales to the position of Obas. The Oyo State Government represented by its Technical Committee which reviewed the recommendations added one more Baale for promotion based on historical antecedents. This is the Baale of Ejioku, a place where the Commission’s report itself highlighted its historical antecedents. Consequently, Government approved the promotion of a total of 33 new Obas.
“ To avoid any form of confusion, misnomer or wrong appellations, the Olubadan of Ibadanland will be addressed as HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, other members of the Olubadan – in Council will be addressed as THEIR ROYAL MAJESTIES (with Beaded Crown), while the promoted Baales will be addressed as THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES (with Coronets). It is worthy of note at this point that presently, the Stools of Nine (9) Chieftaincies, who have been promoted to Obaship, are yet to be filled.
“let me assure you that the Oyo State Government ensured that due process was followed and all extant laws complied with in achieving this landmark development in the trajectory of the Traditional Chieftaincy Institution in Oyo State. We are also not encumbered by any judicial impediments.
“The logical question at this point is what do we stand to gain with this review. This review enhances the status and title of the Olubadan as the supreme ruler of Ibadanland who shall be addressed as His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. Indeed, of what significance is a Field Marshal without Generals.
“It reiterates the supremacy of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and conforms to the cultural realities and traditional settings within Oyo State and beyond as we have multiple Obas in Egbaland, Igbajo, Ijebu, Lagos and in all the Yoruba States of the Federation.
“With thirty three new Obas, today’s event provides further justification for the upgrade of Ibadanland to the status of a State. Our new Royal Majesties and Royal Highnesses will from today be accorded due local, national and international recognition with prestige deserving and worthy of their status as Royalties. The attendant socio – economic benefits of this review cannot be overemphasized as individual domains of our new Obas, Ibadanland and Oyo State in general are bound to witness tremendous growth and development, particularly at the grassroots.
“ At this juncture, permit me to use this opportunity to charge the new Obas to use their elevated Royal positions to promote peace and unity of the Citizenry. To whom much is given, much is expected. As Traditional Rulers, I implore you to distance yourselves from anything capable of tarnishing your esteemed position. We also congratulate the Olubadan of Ibadanland and advice that Kaabiyesi should remain the father of all Ibadan citizens and not allow himself to be used by disgruntled as observed in his recent utterances which tend towards the political. It should be noted that Obas are not expected to play politics.
“Our Administration believes that the Chieftaincy Institution is a sacred one and we hold it in high esteem. I therefore congratulate all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad, especially those being conferred with Obaship status today for this historic achievement.
“Let me assure all the Kabiyesis that this Government will not relent in its efforts in transforming and repositioning Oyo State. I also want to solicit your continued support for our administration to be able to provide more dividends of democracy to the generality of the good people of Oyo State.”
Governor Ajimobi however expressed his appreciation to members of the judicial commission for “their patriotism and for their painstaking efforts that have culminated in today’s occasion. My gratitude also goes to eminent Ibadan elders and leaders who supported this exercise from the outset. I am confident that history will be kind to all of us. Generations yet unborn will appreciate us for being part of this process that has rewritten the history of our dear Ibadanland.”
Other dignitaries at the event are the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Ali, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Gbade Ojo, Commissioners for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, his counterpart at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mrs Olawumi Ogunesan and other top government functions.
Other notable individuals include: Speaker of the State Assembly, Micheal Adeyemo who led other lawmakers, Chief Adebayo Akande, Chief Lamidi Ajadi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Niyi Akintola, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Bayo Akande, Oloye K.O Olatunji, Alhaji Gbenga Arulogun, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerian, Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, the mogaji of Ile Ajimobi, Alhaji Wasiu Ajimobi and APC state chairman, Chief Akin Oke who was represented by the state secretary.
Others include: a former Military of Lagos and Ogun state, General Raji Rasaki, Chief Lanre Oyelade and a member of the lower house of of the National Assembly, Hon. Saheed Fijabi among others.
Monarchs present were: the Onijaye of Ijaye; the Onigbeyin of Igbeyin both from Abeokuta Ogun state and Olofin of Isheri, Lagos state.
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