Oyo State Acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, has stated that the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde will continue to prioritise efforts that will enhance the status of the royal system in the state and make it a worthy reference point for other South-West states.
Barr. Lawal said this on Monday, during the elevation Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Senator Rashidi Ladoja, to a beaded-crown-wearing Oba in line with the amended Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
At the event held at the Olubadan-in-Council Chamber of the new Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, the Acting Governor maintained that the occasion put an end to all the controversies surrounding the issue of beaded crown in Ibadanland and has shown that the traditional system is capable of reinventing itself without external interference.
Presenting the Staff of Office and the Certificate to Oba (Senator) Rashidi Ladoja, the Acting Governor congratulated him on the acceptance of the beaded crown.
He said: “On behalf of the governor of the state, I greet the people of Ibadan.
“We thank God that, today, all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded crown have come to an end even without external interference.
“I want to use this avenue to also thank the CCII President-General, the Aare Musulumi of Oyo, Edo and Delta and other dignitaries here present.
“Ibadan, as we all know, is a city of elites. If the city is peaceful, we believe the entire Yorubaland will be peaceful.
“In Oyo State, we believe that if we want to make progress, there must be little changes in how things should be done. Part of it is what we are doing here today. We want the royalty, monarchy to be well-founded and well-established in Oyo State.
“We believe if this is established in Oyo State, it will be a reference point in the entire Yorubaland.
“So, on behalf of the Governor of Oyo State, I have the opportunity of presenting the instrument of office to HRM Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, following the conferment of Obaship on him by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin 1, the Olubadan of Ibadandland.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Cap 28 Volume 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, and any other powers in that behalf, I confer on you the title of Royal Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Shortly after receiving the beaded crown, staff of office and the certificate of office, the newly-elevated Oba, Senator Ladoja thanked Governor Makinde and the state government for their efforts in ensuring that peace reigns in Ibadanland.
He equally thanked the indigenes of Ibadanland for their support, praying for the progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State.
The event had in attendance members of the Olubadan-in-Council; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo; Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Prof. Daud Shangodoyin; Commissioner for Environment, Honourable Mojeed Mogbonjubola; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola; President-General of CCII, Barrister Ajeniyi Ajewole; former CCII President-General, Chief Bayo Oyero and Alhaji Nureni Akanbi, among other dignitaries.