*Osinbajo, Atiku, Governors, Traditional Rulers, Other Dignitaries Storm Ibadan For The Coronation
Ibadan, the Oyo State capital was agog as the crème de la crème across walks of life stormed the ancient city to witness the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Mohood Lekan Balogun at historic Mapo Hill.
Leading the hundreds of ‘powerful’ Nigerians hosted by the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde was the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, his counterpart from Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun and former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko.
Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi led the delegation of traditional rulers even beyond the soil of South Western states. The delegation includes Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Ogunwusi, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar, Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero, Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan and Emir of Nupe, His Eminence Yahaya Abubakar.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Senator Monsurat Sumonu, Senator Kola Balogun, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, PDP National Chairman, Iyourcha Ayu and Aare Gani Adams.
In his address President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, acknowledged that Ibadanland is very significant to the country, noting that the ancient city is not only known for its political history, but also for its unparalleled traditional system.
He maintained that the newly crowned Olubadan, who have made himself ready for the throne, will not disappoint the sons and daughters of Ibadanland.
While presenting the Staff and Instrument of Office to Oba Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, urged the people of Ibadanland to rejoice because the traditional system of Ibadan has been restored despite all the challenges erupted after the transition of the previous Olubadan, saying that it is an age-old tradition that must be upheld.
According to the governor, “Our gathering here is a victory for all the Ibadan Indigenes because our traditional system has been restored. Our Baba has contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria at large. He has served the state at the Senate, he’s indeed a man of many parts, we have things in common, both of us served at the Shell oil.
“The custodian of our traditional system should desist from partisan politics, you are the gatekeepers and I want you to remain as such.”
The governor charged the Olubadan-in-Council to, as custodians of the cultures and ethos of Ibadanland, protect the sanctity of its chieftaincy system and not allow politicians interfere with it.
According to the governor, “the Ibadan traditional system is a time-tested and long-lasting chieftaincy system that has remained a worthy example in chieftaincy succession across the globe.
“I want to restate that even though we politicians will come and go, sometimes, to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.
“This is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand against us tinkering with age-old traditional systems.
“Our elders, the members of the various councils, the chiefs, our traditional fathers, they are the gatekeepers and they must remain steadfast in their roles. Remember, no politician can destroy any system without the cooperation of some members of these systems.
“Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to ask that Kabiyesi and the Olubadan-in-Council work to ensure that the laws having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan remain sacrosanct.
“The Olubadan-in-Council should remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class,” Makinde said.
The newly installed Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, in his brief address, promised not to let the people of Ibadan and by extension Nigeria down.
The monarch commended the Vice President and all that in attendance for the honour.
The newly crowned Olubadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun received the Staff and Instrument of Office over two after the demise of the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeoguguniso 1.
The presentation and crowning of the monarch was conducted after performing traditional rites at Afobaje’s Compound and Ose House at the popular Oja’ba Market.
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