IBADAN: The ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State, is alive with colour, festivity, and anticipation as preparations peak for the historic coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The grand ceremony, scheduled for Friday, will climax with the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to the monarch by Governor Seyi Makinde at the iconic Mapo Hall.
The coronation coincides with Ladoja’s 81st birthday, adding a unique layer of celebration to the week-long festivities.
For many indigenes and residents, the moment marks not just the installation of a new custodian of Ibadan’s heritage, but also the ascension of a leader with a distinguished record in politics, business, and community service.
Oba Ladoja, a former senator and one-time governor of Oyo State, formally ascends the revered throne following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, just two days after his 90th birthday.
His elevation is the result of a long journey through Ibadan’s unique traditional chieftaincy hierarchy, a system that ensures stability and fairness in the succession process.
The Olubadan-designate is widely respected as a man of influence and experience, whose leadership journey has straddled both governance and grassroots service. Analysts note that his coronation symbolizes the merging of modern political experience with traditional authority.
Across the metropolis, the excitement is palpable. Major roads including Iwo Road, Mokola, Ring Road, Challenge, Sango, Eleyele, Molete, Apata, Akala Road, Akobo, and Bashorun have been decorated with giant billboards bearing Ladoja’s portraits and congratulatory messages from well-wishers, corporate organisations, and community associations.
Convoys of dignitaries’ vehicles have become a familiar sight as hotels record a surge in occupancy.
To ensure smooth movement, officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) have been deployed to major intersections, while police and other security agencies have intensified patrols.
The Oyo State Police Command has also announced the closure of adjoining roads to Mapo Hall during the coronation, urging motorists to use alternative routes.
The newly upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, now certified for international operations, is expected to receive President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, state governors, traditional rulers, diplomats, and other prominent personalities arriving for the event.
The Organising Committee, chaired by Chief Bayo Oyero, a former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), confirmed that all major markets in the city will remain closed on Friday as a mark of honour for the new monarch.
The Olubadan stool is regarded as one of the most revered traditional institutions in Yorubaland and Nigeria at large. It embodies centuries of history, cultural resilience, and the collective identity of Ibadan indigenes.
The throne, unlike many others, follows a unique merit-based succession system that elevates candidates gradually through the two royal lines the civil line and the military line.
Ladoja’s coronation as the 44th Olubadan therefore represents continuity, unity, and the preservation of Ibadan’s heritage, while also reflecting a renewed hope for progress under his reign.
As the people of Ibadan await the grand ceremony at Mapo Hall, the city remains in festive mode, with music, dance, and traditional displays already transforming neighbourhoods into hubs of celebration.
For many, the day will go down as another golden chapter in the history of Ibadanland.
