Makinde presents staff of office to new Olubadan, emphasizes unity to develop state

Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State Friday emphasized the need for unity and cohesion in the development of the state.

The governor, who stated this while officially presenting staff and instruments of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Ige-Olakulehin I, stressed the need for people to focus on the things that unite the state rather than divide it.

“They said they want to sabotage, they want to sabotage, we are here today at Mapo Hall,” he said.

While presenting the staff of office at the historic Mapo Hall in the presence of the Olubadan in-council and other notable dignitaries within and outside the state said: “I, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, by the virtue of the power conferred on me, hereby present the staff of office to the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

The governor however, felicitated the newly crowned Olubadan and the people of Ibadanland, praying for long life and a successful reign.

Oba Olakulehin had before the presentation of instruments of office successful completed all traditional rites by culminating into being crowned to mount the throne of his forebears.

Earlier, the new monarch was earlier crowned at the Labosinde compound, the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland and was consequently moved to Ile Osemeji at Oja, Oba area regarded as the place where the divination on the future of Ibadan was revealed.

Responding, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde and the dignitaries who have traveled from far and near to grace the event and prayed that Ibadan shall be prosperous and witness more development in his reign.

In his address President Bola Tinubu, felicitated the new Olubadan and the entire people of Ibadanland for the successful enthronement of their new monarch.

Tinubu represented by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu who is a son of the soil,

noted that beyond the glamour, the event herald as prestige and enduring tradition and resilience as a people and that Ibadan traditional system of non-controversial kingship model is an administration in the whole of Nigeria.

Read also: Makinde constitutes coronation committee for Olubadan

Governor Dapo Abiodun, the chairman, Southern Governors Forum and governor of Ogun state, in his address described Oba Olakulehin’s enthronement as a dawn of new era, saying that the event marked a significant milestone in its position among the entire Yorubaland while expressing optimism in more economically prosperous Ibadanland.

Adebayo Oyero and Toye Arulogun in their separate goodwill messages, reeled out the citation, life accomplishments, and extolled the newly crowned monarch expressing optimism that his reign will usher in more prosperity and economic development to Ibadanland.

Present at the event were the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja I and the Aare of Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta, Dawood Makanjuola, Senator Sarafadeen Alli representing Oyo South senatorial district, members of House of Representatives from Oyo state, and members of Oyo state Executive Council.

Others were governors of Lagos, Osun, and Ondo states represented by their deputies, members of Oyo state Elders and Advisory Councils, traditional rulers from across Oyo State, religious and traditional leaders, Oyo State security chiefs, state House of Assembly members among others.