Saliu A. O Adetunji: installed 41st Olubadan

The new king, who will be known as Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Aje Ogungunniso 1, in a response from the throne did not pester the governor with providing the city the basics: all he wanted was the upgrading of Ibadan airport into an international one and the creation of a new Ibadan State, to further balloon the administrative units of cash strapped Nigeria.

And he was serious about it as he announced that he has already lobbied the assistance of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, the ruling party, to help in actualising the dream.

The monarch said, “I beg Bola Tinubu as a key personality in this government to assist us in this regard.

Guests at the coronation

In his speech at the ceremony at Mapo Hall, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, promised to overhaul the chieftaincy institution in Ibadanland.

This, he said, will ensure speedy completion of appointment procedures and ensure the insulation of high chiefs from partisan politics as the father of all.

He said, “Since royalty is service, the Oba is expected to be above board and become a rallying point for all citizens.

“He is the ruler of Ibadanland and symbol of Unity and final say on customary matters. The Olubadan is faced with the task of building peace.”

Presenting the certificate of office to the monarch, Ajimobi reminded the gathering that nobody can be qualified to be Olubadan if he is found to suffer from physical infirmity or declared to be a lunatic or unsound mind.

The Governor, who spoke on the legal tussle between the Seriki Chiefs and the kingmakers, noted that the chiefs law regulating the succession to the stool of Olubadan recognizes rotation to the stool between the Otun and Balogun lines, noting that the ascension to the throne is “strictly rotational.”

“The Choice of the new Olubadan from the Balogun line is customary, traditional, legal and satisfied all legal provisions without legal incumberances. The council having presented him, I now approve this appointment. He is now the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is a famous business tycoon and music recording guru. He has discovered many talents across the music world.”