- By Halimah Olamide
West Africa’s biggest city, Ibadan the capital of Oyo state is set to be agog today as the new Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin, is set to mount the throne of his forefathers.
He will he granted his staff of office months after the demise of the late Olubadan, Dr. Lekan Balogun.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who has confirmed today as the day of installation is expected to perform the ceremony at the newly rehabilitated Olubadan palace.
The 89 year old new Olubadan Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi.
Olakulehin’s ascension to the throne has been dogged with controversies over his ill-health which many argued would not make him fit to perform the functions of his office.
But others have argued that the existing order of order of emergence of Ibadan monarchs should not be destroyed on the excuse the ill health of the man who is next in line.
Ibadan has a well established order of selection which had made it easy for the city to choose the next one after the demise of the other.
Already, preparations have reached a top point for today’s event. The Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, ordered markets in Ibadanland to be shut today, between 7 am and 2 pm, in honour of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Olakunlehin became the Mogaji of the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State in 1983. He was installed as the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land by Oba Asanike in 1986; rising through the ladder till 2006 when he was elevated to the Olubadan-In-Council, under Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, the 38th Olubadan of Ibadan.
In 2016, Oba Olakulehin became the Balogun of Ibadanland, following the promotion of Oba Saliu Adetunji to the throne of the Olubadan. Olakulehin served as Balogun of Ibadanland for eight years.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, had announced on behalf of the state government that the installation ceremony would hold today.