Tinubu, Sultan, Oluwo, others in attendance, as Gov Makinde coronates Ladoja as 44th Olubadan
By KEMI KASUMU
He has, therefore, taken the official address of “Arusa I” as he takes over as the 44th monarch on throne of the self-regulated Yoruba Land kingdom.
It is now official that former Governor of Oyo State, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has been coronated as the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, amidst cheers from the people not only of Ibadan but from across Yoruba Land.
He has, therefore, taken the official address of “Arusa I” as he takes over as the 44th monarch on throne of the self-regulated Yoruba Land kingdom.
The DEFENDER reports that coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on Friday September 26, 2026, was witnessed by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), Governor of Ekiti State, Bayo Oyebanji, some serving and former South West governors including Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun State), Oluwo of Iwo Kingdom, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Obalefun of Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, among several others.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, presented the Staff of Office to the His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, at about 3:10 p.m. thus formalising ascension of the former senator, former governor and exceptionally successful entrepreneur as a well experienced personality now on the throne who has seen it all from being a grassroots, state and national figure with full capacity of attracting further and sustainable development and greatness, not only to Ibadan Land but also, the entire Oyo State.
Governor Makinde made the presentation at Mapo Hall, the venue of the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.
Recall that Makinde cut short his annual leave on Thursday to personally attend Oba Ladoja’s coronation.
This global online newspaper recalls that the new Olubadan had earlier been decorated with Akoko leaves as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan Land at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, Ibadan, by the Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde.
The Arusa I was confirmed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan Land following his nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council at its meeting held at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, the former capital of defunct Western Region, on Monday, August 4, 2025.
The nomination of Oba Ladoja followed demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 after spending barely on year on the throne.
Other photographs from the event below:
