OLUBADAN THRONE: MAKINDE ACCEPTS NOMINATION: Olakuleyin set to become 43rd Olubadan
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday said he had accepted the recommendation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin by the Olubadan-In-Council as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Makinde said this during the celebration of life organised
by the state government for late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun,
who died on March 14 after a brief illness.
The governor said he had seen the recommendation of the
Olubadan-In-Council and had accepted it.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday said the
Olubadan designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will be installed as the 43rd
Olubadan of Ibadanland as soon as he’s strong enough to go through the process.
He said this during the final burial ceremony of the late
Olubadan, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, who joined his ancestors on March 14,
2024, at the age of 83.
The ceremony, which took place at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium,
attracted important dignitaries from all walks of life.
He spoke for the first time since the recommendation of the
Olubadan in Council was forwarded to him about three months ago.
Governor Makinde said, “I have seen the recommendation of
the Olubadan-in-Council, and I have accepted it. I have accepted it, and we
will, as soon as our father, Oba Olakulehin, is strong enough, be enthroned as
the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
He applauded the process that led to the choice of Oba Olakulehin, saying due process had been followed in the selection process.
The downpour that took most of the day did not take the
shine off the ceremony, which brought together politicians, traditional rulers,
title holders, religious leaders, top government functionaries, and many
others.
Speaking on the late Olubadan, whom he eulogised for
bringing peace to the traditional institutions in the city, he explained that
the House of Assembly and Oba Balogun did what no one could do by amending the
Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration Laws.
“Those who don’t want us to celebrate Baba were the ones
that sent the rain, but I have told people to charm the rain. As they continue
that, continue to eat and drink, and let us continue to celebrate our late
kabiyesi
“One thing that I want us to go home with today is that the
late Kabiyesi and I did what they think Napoleon cannot do.”
Olakulehin was nominated on Friday, April 12, by the Osi
Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe at the Olubadan-in-council meeting held at
Olubadan Palace, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
The nomination put to rest controversies over the selection of a new Olubadan of Ibadanland as the kingmakers yesterday, formally nominated the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin, as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The kingmakers who are also members of the
Olubadan-in-Council ratified the nomination of Olakulehin at a meeting held at
the ancient Mapo Hall.
The meeting was attended by Olakulehin and chaired by the
Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of Oyo State, High Chief
Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The Ibadan chieftaincy and traditional system is unique and
most rancor-free in this part of the world.
Since the creation of Ibadan in 1829 as a war camp for
warriors coming from other parts of Yoruba land, ascension to the throne has
been a smooth flawless procedure.
The Olubadan as the head of the entire system is not just
the ruler of Ibadan but the paramount ruler of the entire Ibadan Land.
High Chief Y. B. Ogundipe (Before he became Olubadan) once
wrote about the Olubadan; “The whole of Ibadan and its environs belong to the
Olubadan. To him belongs the stretch of land both within the Metropolis and all
local government councils surrounding the city. He is the paramount ruler in
the entire area. I am happy that our brothers and sisters in these areas accept
the paramountcy of the Olubadan. They have not allowed dissidents any room to
operate.”
The statement by Oba
Ogundipe underscores the spirit behind the Ibadan Traditional system.
The system is republican as against dynastic monarchical
authoritarianism which operates in other places. Governance is based on collective wisdom and
consensus at each level such that dictatorship and dissidence are not given
space in the system. Ibadan and her people have never changed the system that
runs like clockwork and engenders peace.
Ibadan has had 42 kings. The same system has produced the Olubadans without rancor.
1. Lagelu – 1820
2. Baale Maye Okunade – 1820-1826
3. Baale Oluyendun Labosinde – 1826-1830
4. Baale Lakanle – 1830-1835
5. Basorun Oluyole Ojaba – 1835-1850
6. Baale Oderinlo Opeagbe Idiomo/Kure – 1850-1851
7. Baale Oyesile Olugbode Ita Baale – 1851-1864
8. Ba’ale Ibikunle – 1864-1865
9. Basorun Ogumola Mapo – 1865-1867
10. Balogun Beyioku Akere Onitamperin – 1867-1870
11. Baale Orowusi (Awarun) Kobomoje – 1870-1871
12. Aare Oladoke Latoosa Oke-Are – 1871-1885
13. Balogun Ajayi Osungbekun Kobmoje – 1885-1893
14. Baale Fijabi 1 (Omo Babalola) Oritamerin – 1893-1895
15. Baale Osuntoki Olusun Agbeni – 1895-1897
16. Basorun Fajimi (Yerombi) Oranyan – 1897-1902
17. Baale Mosaderin Sunlehinmi Oranyan – 1902-1904
18. Baale Dada Opadare Mapo – 1904-1907
19. Basorun Sumonu Apanpa Isale-Osi – 1907-1910
20. Baale Akintayo
Awanibaku Elenpe Bere, Aboke – 1910-1912
21. Baale Irefin (Omo Ogundeyi) Oke Ofa Babasale – 1912-1914
22. Baale Shitu (Omo Are Latosa) Oke Are 1914-1925
23. Baale Oyewole Aiyejenku Omo Foko Oke Foko – 1925-1930
24. Olubadan Okunola Abaasi Alesinloye Isale Ijebu –
1930-1946
25. Olubadan Fagbinrin Akere II Oritamerin – 1946-1946
26. Olubadan Oyetunde I Eleta – 1946-1946
27. Olubadan Akintunde Bioku Oleyo, Oranyan – 1947-1948
28. Olubadan Fijabi II Oritamerin – 1948-1952
29. Olubadan Memudu Alli Iwo Gbenla – 1952- 1952
30. Olubadan Igbintade Apete Oke Ofa – 1952-1955
32. Oba Yesufu Kobiowu Oranyan – 1964-1964
33. Oba Salawu Akanbi Aminu Adeoyo – 1965-1971
34. Oba Shittu Akintola Oyetunde II Eleta – 1971- 1976
35. Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe Odinjo – 1976- 1977
36. Oba Daniel Tayo Akinbiyi Elekuro – 1977-1982
37. Oba Yesufu Oloyede Asanike IdiAro – 1983- 1993
38. Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Operinde Isale Ijebu – 1993-1999
39. Oba Yinusa B. Ogundipe Arapasowu I Oranyan – 1999-2007
40. Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I- 2007–2016
41. Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji – 2016–2022
42. Oba Lekan Balogun – 2022–2024.
With the pronouncement by Governor Makinde, Owolabi
Olakuleyin is set to become the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan Land.
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