The Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, on Monday, became a crown wearing Oba as he received beaded crown from the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin and instruments of office from the acting governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal.

The ceremony held at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, puts an closure to the long resistance of Ladoja regarding wearing beaded crown apart from that of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, following amendments to the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration.

Presenting certificate and staff of office to Ladoja, the Oyo Acting governor said the changes to the Ibadan monarchy system were imperative for Ibadan and for the state to progress.

According to Lawal, a rancour-free and well-established monarchy in Ibadan was crucial as it would be a reference point for monarchies across Yoruba land.

Lawal said: “The governor extends his greetings to you. In recent weeks, some things happened, that made this celebration successful. Ibadan is a great city, a city of royalty.

“When there is peace in Ibadan land, we believe the entire Yoruba land is peaceful. There won’t be friction in Ibadan land.

“We thank God that, today, all the controversies surrounding the issue of the beaded crown have come to an end even without external interference.

“Today is a day of joy for Oyo State, particularly Ibadan land. I am no novice to Oba Ladoja and he is not a novice to me. I am grateful that the governor gave me the privilege to do this ceremony.

“We believe that for Oyo State to progress, there will be some changes in how we do things. We want monarchy to be well founded, well established in Oyo State. We believe that if monarchy is well established in Oyo State, it will be a reference point across Yoruba land.”

The crown handed to Ladoja by the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, bore the title, “Oba Oju Opo.”

Speaking, Ladoja said his acceptance of beaded crown finally came after the Olubadan of Ibadan land explained to him that he is receiving crown as Oba Oju Opo (king-in-line), meaning that those who are highest on the Olubadan chieftaincy line to include Otun, Osi, Asipa, Ekerin, Balogun are next in line to become Olubadan.

He explained that his resistance to accepting the beaded crown was because he kept asking over what domain would he reign as Oba and he didn’t get a response he could fathom.

Ladoja said he now understood that the amended chieftaincy declaration stated that the Otun, Osi, Asipa, Ekerin are crowned Obas and all enjoy being regarded as next king in line, thereby nullifying the question of what domain.

Even when issues and controversies reach fever pitch in Ibadan, Ladoja said Ibadan people would always find a way to resolve their chieftaincy issues without external interference.

Ladoja said: “Ibadan can arrange its chieftaincy. If people think Ibadan will burn, Ibadan will boil, they lie, that is only because we are yet to meet behind closed doors.

“Once we come out after meeting behind closed doors, you will see a change in stance because we know what is right.

“All that happened before was due to lack of understanding as the question asked then was if we are crowned king, what domain are we king over? But we have been told that we are Oba Oju Opo (king-in-line) because it is all of us on that line that can become king.

“What the declaration stated is that if Otun cannot become king, Osi can, Asipa can, Ekerin can, that is, all of us in that line can become king. So, each of us can enjoy being king in line.

“That nullifies the question of what domain is one king over, we say we are now in line to become Olubadan of Ibadan land. I thank the Olubadan of Ibadan land for approving of my request for an answer to my persistent question of over what domain is one king over.

“He let me understand that we are all kings in line and we can become Olubadan of Ibadan land, when there is vacancy. May God grant the Olubadan long life on the throne, and it is God that grants one the grace to become Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“We have had people become Otun, people become Balogun yet did not become Olubadan. If we don’t know that of many, we know that of Kuye and Omiyale that passed at almost the same time. May God rest their souls.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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