Lekan Balogun crowned 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan Land, as Osinbajo, Sultan, Alaafin, Buratai, others attend event

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OLUBADAN INSTALLATION: H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (left) and His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, during the occasion of the installation of Senator Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, on Friday March 11, 2022.

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By BASHIR ADEFAKA

It was a gathering of the giants as creme de la creme of the Nigerian society converged on Ibadan, on Friday, for the formal installation and presentation of Staff of Office to Senator Olalekan Ishola Balogun, who was crowned as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land.

The coronation of the paramount ruler of Ibadan Land, held at the popular Mapo Hall in the Oyo State capital at a very elaborate and colourful event, was attended by very many dignitaries from across Nigeria’s traditional, political and diplomatic communities.

Leading the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN) to the occasion was its Chairman and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the co-chairman of the council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, among others.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presents the staff of office to the new Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, on March 11, 2022. Photo: Twitter-@oyostategovt

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governor of Oyo State, Senator and High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, were also among the political leaders, who graced the occasion.

The DEFENDER reports that the physical presence of former Chief of Army Staff and current Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), was conspicuously noticed as the former anti-terrorism warlord found time to be part of the all-important event.

General Buratai was accompanied to the well attended coronation ceremony of the Ibadan’s most revered monarch, and a former Senator of the Federal Republic, by Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, former Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Major General GU Chibusi, GOC, Two Division Nigerian Army Ibadan, Major General II Abba (Rtd), former Military Secretary, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), former Spokesman and Director of Army Public Relations, Major General SO Olabanji, Commander Training and Doctrine, Nigerian Army.

Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), second right, and others at the formal installation and presentation of Staff of Office to Senator Lekan Balogun as as the Olubadan of Ibadan Land, held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd), former Director of Army Public Relations, second right, and others at the installation of Olubadan of Ibadan Land, on Friday, March 11, 2022.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the staff of office to Oba Balogun, now Okumade II, in the presence of prominent traditional and religious leaders from various parts of the country, as well as hundreds of residents of the state.

The new Olubadan, adorned with a white crown and wine traditional attire popularly known as ‘Aso Oke’, ascended the throne in grand style to usher in a new dispensation in the town.

Oba Balogun ascended the throne to succeed the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, whose reign lasted almost six years.

The late monarch who was crowned on March 4, 2016, died two months ago at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. He was aged 93 years old.

OLUBADAN INSTALLATION: His Excellency Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, arrives the Mapo Hall venue of the installation of Senator Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, on Friday March 11, 2022.

Following his death, Oba Balogun emerged as the next Olubadan, but not after a controversy over who would succeed Oba Adetunji.

But the controversy was finally put to rest last month after Governor Makinde named Oba Balogun as the next paramount ruler of Ibadan land, following a recommendation by the Olubadan-in-Council.

“The appointment is in line with the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the unique and time-tested tradition of our people.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Oyo State, I wish the newly confirmed Olubadan a successful reign blessed with peace and unprecedented progress,” the governor had said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa.


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