OLUBADAN CORONATION: IBADAN BUBBLES FOR NEW OLUBADAN AS MULTIPLE CEREMONIES EXCITE

Two major events will herald in next Friday's coronation of the new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The Balogun of Ibadan, and Olubadan-designate, Oba Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin will be coronated as the 43^rd Olubadan of Ibadan on  Friday 12^th July, 2024.

This follows his nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council on 12^th April, 2024 and subsequent approval by the Governor of Oyo State.

Oba Olakulehin, was born on 5 July, 1935 in Okugbaja Village within the proximity of Akanran, in the present day Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State to Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Opo Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi. The family has its ancestral homestead within the ancient city of Ibadan at Ita-Baale Olugbode.

Owolabi Olakulehin’s maternal lineage derives from another ancient and established Ibadan family, the Kusidi Family whose ancestral farmland is in Kusidi Village Egbeda Local Government Area.  

He became Mogaji for the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area in 1983. He was installed as the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan Land by Oba Oloyede Asanke in 1986. He rose through the ladder.

He was elevated in 2006 to the Olubadan-In-Council under Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, the 38th Olubadan of Ibadan. He served as the Head of Traditional Council in various local governments across Ibadan. He represented the Olubadan-In-Council prior to becoming the Balogun of Ibadan in 2016.

The two days preceding his coronation, 10^th and 11^th July,  will be marked with two significant events.

In a statement signed by the commissioner for information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the commissioner rejoiced with Oba Owolabi Olakulehin who turned 89 yesterday on behalf of the State government.

The commissioner said that the new Olubadan palace will be commissioned by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, next Wednesday 10^th July,2024.

The ultramodern historic palace sitting magnificently on Oke-Aremo, which completion had been delayed for so long will be the new official home of subsequent Olubadans starting with Oba Olakulehin on Friday.

According to the commissioner, "The new palace is a symbol of tradition and modernity, bonding the rich cultural heritage and legacy of the Yorubas."

On Thursday, 11^th July, 2024, the maiden edition of the Egungun-Amala-Fuji Festival tagged EFOS2024 will hold at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The festival, convened by the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism is a fusion of traditional masquerade performance, delicious food and soul-stirring fuji music that showcase the cultural richness of Yoruba people.

The coronation event on Friday, July 12 begins at the Labosinde compound, Ibadan where the new Olubadan will receive the traditional leaves and other rites before moving to neighbouring Osemeji where he will receive his crown.

Thereafter, Kabiyesi will be coronated and presented with the Staff of Office by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde at Mapo hall, Ibadan.

The three events are expected to be witnessed by indigenes and non-indigenes, dignitaries, celebrities and members of the diplomatic corps.

Ibadan will be a beehive with pomp and pageantry throughout the period of display of Culture and Tourism as history is being made.