By Richard Thomas
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has elevated 34 Baales of Ibadan Less City to Obaship status.
The exercise which was an extension of the elevation of the 11 High Chiefs of Olubadan to the status of Royal Majesties took place on July 7, 2023 at the Oja’ba Palace Ibadan.
Meanwhile, the development was part of measures to completely change the face of Ibadan traditional system in order to measure with other places in the comity of towns and cities,
The elevated Baales were selected from six local governments including Akinyele, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu, and Oluyole. Among the new Obas was the 116 years old, His Royal Highness, Oba Tiamiyu Olubiyi Oladipupo, Alaba of Abanla.
The programme had the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, ably represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Segun Olayiwola, and presented the Staff of Office to the new Obas.
In his address, the governor commended the elevation, saying “Whenever our father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland is going out, he will now have many Obas on his entourage, adding colour to his outings.
“The governor who urged the new Obas to be good ambassadors in their respective domains said, the issue of land grabbing should not occur again, noting that the people who perpetrate evil deeds are in your midst.
The elevation exercise which the Olubadan said “met the yearnings and expectations of our people”, had in attendance several dignitaries including the the 11 members of the Olubadan Advisory Council (High Chiefs and now Royal Majesties), excluding Senator Rasidi Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan who refused to be crowned, and has gone to court challenging his colleagues’ elevation.
Others included the immediate past President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Mosud Abass (retd) who is the Aare Baamofin of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi (Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland), the Chairman and Chief Executive of Ilaji Hotels and Resorts Chief Dotun Sanusi, Senator Kola Balogun, among others.
The Olubadan, whose address was read by his younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, said by today’s exercise, they have completely changed the face of the Ibadan traditional system adding that they can now rub shoulders with other places in the comity of towns and cities.
According to him, it is gratifying to note that the public opinion on the first leg of the exercise has been that of applause and commendation, saying they are convinced and happy that by the elevation exercises, including the one they are doing today Friday 01, September, 2023 “we are meeting the yearnings and expectations of our people.
“The determination of our amiable governor, Engr. Makinde in ensuring the making of this history cannot be over-emphasized. We cannot gloss over the boldness and political will of his predecessor, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who against all odds broke the jinx which had become a recurring decimal since the advent of the current democratic experience.
“May his soul continue to peacefully rest. Whatever flaws noticed in the steps taken by the late former governor Ajimobi on the issue have been corrected by Engr. Makinde, giving us confidence that what we are doing has come to stay”, he stressed.
The elevated Baales included, His Royal Highness, Oba Lasisi Akano-Onijaye of Ijaye; HRH, Oba Ismaila Olasunkanmi Abioye Opeola-Oniroko of Iroko from Akinyele local government. HRH, Oba Adebowale Kamorudeen Adeyemi, JP- Oniladuntan of Laduntan and HRH, Oba Mudasiru Musa- Alararo of Araro from Ona Ara local government; HRH, Oba Yekini Olatunde- Onilatunde of Latunde and HRH, Oba Tiamiyu Olubiyi Oladipupo- Alaba of Abanla (116-year- old) from Oluyole local government, among others.
