An 89-year-old retired army major, Owolabi Olakulehin, was on Friday installed as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland at a ceremony held at the Labosinde compound, and thereafter, in company of members of Olubadan in-Council, family members and well-wishers, moved to the frontage of the popular Mapo Hall.
Penpushing reports that the new traditional ruler later proceeded to Ile Osemeji at Oja’ba area, where divination on the future of Ibadanland was revealed, and thanked the sons and daughters of Ibadanland for supporting his enthronement
The Oyo State Governor Engr Seyi Makinde accompanied by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and other dignitaries later presented both the Staff and Instrument of Office to Olakulehin as new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Penpushing further reports that Makinde in his speech during the presentation shortly after Olakulehin was crowned at the Labosinde compound, the family with exclusive right to crown Olubadan charged him to use the position for the upliftment and progress of Ibadanland.
The Governor promised that his administration would continue to promote traditional institutions and congratulated the entire Ibadan people on the successful enthronement of Olakulehin as the new Olubadan.
Penpushing also reports that President Bola Tinubu represented by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, encouraged the monarch to uphold the tradition and values that had made Ibadan a symbol of resilience and progress.
‘As we look to the future, we acknowledge that there are challenges ahead but I am surely convinced that we can overcome these challenges with your majesty’s leadership quality, cooperation of all chiefs and the people’, he said.
‘Let us not forget to live in unity, tolerance, mutual respect for one another and let us continue to strive for peace and understanding among ourselves so that Ibadan would continue to blossom’, Adelabu stated.
Penpushing reports that Olakulehin in his acceptance speech appreciated the federal and state governments for their contributions toward the success of the coronation, while other dignatries at the event include Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Deputy Governors of Osun and Ondo states, Kola Adewusi and Olayide Adelami, respectively, as well as Chief of Staff to Governor Babatunde Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Tayo Ayinde.
The new Olubadan was born on 5 July 1935, studied at Yaba College of Technology where he obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building, and was later recruited in 1970 through the Direct Short Service Commission as a second Lieutenant after transferring his service to the Nigerian Army Corp of Engineers.
Penpushing further reports that Olakulehin retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Army as a Major on October 1, 1979, after a remarkable 25-year career in military service, and upon disengagement from the military service, he engaged in private business
The new traditional ruler made a foray into politics and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992, representing Ibadan South-East Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Nigerian Army.
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