Ibadan indigenes and residents also
swarmed the Mapo Hall venue of the event to witness the coronation of
the successful music promoter.
As early as 7:30 am, all routes leading
to the hilltop venue were already crowded with people struggling to beat
security barriers before the official commencement of the programme.
The crowning of the king of the city
highly rated for its massive size and central role in the
socio-political and economic life of Nigeria and the Southwest in
particular could not have been otherwise.
Presenting the certificate and staff of
office to the new monarch,Gov. Ajimobi revelled in the uniqueness of the
event, stressing that it was the first time a governor of Ibadan origin
would crown an Olubadan.
He also pointed out that it was the first time the son of a tailor would be crowning another tailor as the Olubadan.
Ajimobi’s father was a tailor while
tailoring was also Oba Adetunji’s early profession before venturing into
music promotion in 1954.
The governor promised to overhaul the
chieftaincy law of Ibadanland to ensure speedy completion of appointment
procedures and also insulate high chiefs from partisan politics since
they serve as fathers to all.
The governor urged the new monarch to be fair to everyone in his dealings.
“Since royalty is service, the Oba is expected to be above board and rallying point of all citizens,” Ajimobi said.
“He is the ruler of Ibadanland and
symbol of unity and has final say on customary matters. The Olubadan is
faced with the task of building peace”.
The governor, apparently referring to
the legal move by the Seriki chiefs to access the throne, noted that the
Chiefs Law regulating the succession to the stool of the Olubadan
recognizes rotation to the stool between only the lines Otun and
Balogun.
He said:”the choice of the new Olubadan
from the Balogun line is customary, traditional, legal and satisfied all
legal provisions without legal encumbrances.
The council, having presented him, I now
approved this appointment. He is now the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He is a famous business tycoon and music recording guru discovering many
talents sent across the world.”
After the presentation of certificate
and staff of office, all the high chiefs paid homage to the new king in
accordance with the custom.
In his acceptance speech, Oba Adetunji
called for the creation of Ibadan State and upgrading of Ibadan airport
to international status.
He also hailed the peace project
embarked upon by the Ooni of Ife, saying his visits to the Alaafin and
others signaled hope for the Yoruba race.
Members of Oba Adetunji’s family had ridden to the venue in an open-roof Peugeot 307 car.
The Mapo Hall arcade was crowded in all sides and security operatives struggled endlessly to control them.
“It is historical,” a man in the crowd said of the coronation,pointing out that it does not happen every day.
He said it is normal for people to want to see a new king being made.
Opposite the rostrum where the
coronation was performed stood a large stage from which one of Oba
Adetunji’s famous artistes, King Wasiu Ayinde, and Ibadan based Fuji
star, Alhaji Rashidi Ayinde, dished out thrilling tunes.
After the arrival of dignitaries, the
programme was flagged off with an opening prayer cum recitation of
Qur’an by Dr Kamil Oloso, the Head of Islamic Studies Department,
University of Ibadan.
Taking his text from Chapter 3 verses 36
and 37 of the Qur’an, Oloso explained that only God chooses and removes
kings. He prayed for long and peaceful reign for Oba Adetunji.
The monarch had arrived the venue at
12:10 pm in a white bus led by a security pilot vehicle. His arrival was
heralded by gun salutes.
By 12:29, Oba Adetunji mounted the
exalted customized chair, symbolizing the throne. Inscribed on the chair
is: “Kabiyesi Alayeluwa, Olubadan of Ibadan.”
The chief comperes, who are ace broadcasters, Yanju Adegbite and Wale Rufai, directed the activities with dexterity.
The dignitaries retired into Mapo Hall for reception after the coronation.
Other dignitaries at the event were
former governors of old and new Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo and Chief
Adebayo Alao-Akala respectively; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun),
Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State and Alhaji Aminu Turaki of Jigawa State.
Also at the event were Oyo State Deputy
Governor, Chief Moses Alake-Adeyemo; Speaker, Oyo State House of
Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo; members of the National Assembly and
former deputy governors of the state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun and Alhaji
Taofeek Arapaja.
Others include legal icon, Chief Niyi
Akintola (SAN); Chief Lekan Are; Chief Lamidi Ajadi; Chairman of APC in
Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke; Chief Gboyega Arulogun; Chief Kola-Daisi;
Chief Teslim Folarin; Prophet Samuel Abiara; Chief Bose Adedibu;
President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Wole
Akinwande; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka;
Prof Taoheed Adedoja; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG Zone
11), Kalafite Adeyemi; Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria
Limited, Dr Rotimi Adeduntan and Engr Seyi Makinde.
Other traditional rulers at the event
include the Alake of Egba, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Olugbo of
Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba
AbdulRasheed Akanbi and the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo.
Members of the Olubadan-In-Council in
attendance were high chiefs Lekan Balogun (Otun Olubadan), Rashidi
Ladoja (Osi Olubadan), Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Otun Balogun),
Olufemi Olaifa (Osi Balogun), Eddy Oyewole (Ashipa Olubadan),Tajudeen
Ajibola (Ashipa Balogun), Abiodun Kola-Daisi (Ekerin Olubadan), Solomon
Adabale (Ekerin Balogun) Chief (Mrs) Aminat Abiodun (Iyalode of
Ibadanland)
The Minister of Communication; Barr.
Bayo Shittu and the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr
Adebayo Adelabu were also in attendance.
Earlier in the day,Oba Adetunji had been
crowned by the 10th Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Idowu Popoola at
the chief’s palace at Oja Oba.
Clad in the traditional Aso-Oke, the new
oba arrived in a Peugeot 307 CC 180 with registration number KJA 701
DZ, to commence the traditional rites.
The new king, who also performed the
calabash selection aspect of the crowning rituals , picked the Money
Calabash, an indication that his reign would bring prosperity to the
city.
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