43rd Olubadan: Oba Olakulehin Will Soon Be Enthroned Once Strong Enough, Makinde

Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday declared that he had received the recommendation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland by the Olubadan-in-Council, adding that the monarch will soon be enthroned once he is strong enough for the coronation processes.

The governor made this known at the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun who joined his ancestors on March 14, 2024 at 81 years. He reigned for two years and was buried according to Muslim rites a day after his demise.

The event which held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, was attended by traditional rulers, title holders, religious leaders, top government functionaries, family members, relatives, friends who turned out in large number to honor the late traditional ruler.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, Makinde said: “I have seen the recommendation of the Olubadan-in-Council and I have accepted it. I have accepted it and we will, as soon as our father, Oba Olakulehin, is strong enough, he will be enthroned because due process has been followed”.

While extolling the virtues and the role of traditional advancement which late Oba Balogun played during his short reign, the governor said “myself, the House of Assembly and late Olubadan Balogun did what no one thinks ‘Napoleon’ could do by amending the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration Laws which would be used to enthrone the 43rd Olubadan.

“One thing that I want us to go home with today is that the late Kabiyesi and I did what they think Napoleon cannot do. Myself and the House of Assembly on Friday, 26th May, 2023 amended the Chieftaincy Laws of Oyo State so that the governor doesn’t need to go to the Council of Chiefs to amend the Declaration of Obas.

“Myself and Kabiyesi, we amended Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration. Those who haven’t seen it, let them go and look for it. That is the Declaration in force to enthrone the Olubadan of Ibadanland”, he said.

The event was nearly disrupted by the rain that poured heavily, this making Makinde to comically say that those who didn’t want the celebration of the late monarch to hold were the ones behind the rain. He nevertheless urged the family members and everybody in the State to be happy that the late monarch lived a fulfilled and impactful life.

“Those who don’t want us to celebrate Baba were the ones that sent the rain, but I have told people to charm the rain. As they continue that, continue to eat and drink and let us continue to celebrate our late Kabiyesi”, he said with jocularity.

Felicitations the family of Oba Balogun for the befitting burial, the governor said: “I want to once again thank you all. To the family, it is we all that lost Baba, but we take solace in the fact that Baba lived a fulfilled and eventful life”.