Debo Adeoye, Ibadan, Oyo State
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will on Friday preside over the long-awaited promotion ceremony for five members of the Olubadan-in-Council, marking a significant step in the traditional hierarchy of Ibadanland.
The event, which is expected to attract dignitaries from across Nigeria, will be held at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
According to a statement signed by Adeola Oloko, Media Aide to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the promotion exercise will involve only the 21 chiefs on the Otun Olubadan line, from which the 44th Olubadan, Oba Ladoja, emerged.
Leading the list of those to be elevated are prominent members of the Olubadan-in-Council. Oba Eddy Oyewole, the Osi Olubadan, will move up to become the Otun Olubadan; while Asipa Olubadan Kola-Daisi will be promoted to Osi Olubadan.
Similarly, Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, will be promoted to Asipa Olubadan; Oba Muritala Adebayo Akande, formerly Ekarun Olubadan, will advance to Ekerin Olubadan; and Chief Kola Babalola, SAN, Abese Olubadan, will become Ekarun Olubadan.
Significantly, Chief Kola Babalola’s promotion ushers him into the elite Olubadan-in-Council for the first time, a milestone in his traditional journey.
The statement further disclosed that the promotion exercise follows the customary knocking and expression of interest by the affected chiefs. As the prescribed and consenting authority over all chieftaincy matters in Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja will preside over the ceremony, which will be formally conducted by the Oluwo of Ibadanland.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, along with other distinguished monarchs, is expected to join the Olubadan to grace the occasion.
