Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli (right) presenting conferment letter to Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

In spite of the agitations from various quarters, including the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1, against the recent amendment to the 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland carried out by the Justice O. A. Akintunde-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration, Oyo state government has gone ahead to implement its recommendation.

The commission of enquiry had recommended 32 new beaded-wearing crowns for the city.

To that effect, the Oyo State Government on Friday issued letters of conferment of Obaship on 21 chiefs in Ibadan. The government also announced that their coronation will hold on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

Among the new monarchs are nine high chiefs of Olubadan-in-Council and 12 baales who have just been elevated to obaship status in line with the government white paper release on the obaship issue.

Out of the new designated oba, only the former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who has filed a suit against the action, did not turn up to receive his letter of conferment at the event which was held at the House of Chiefs, Parliamentary Building, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

The conferment letter dated 25th August, 2017 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Matters, Mrs. Olawunmi Ogunesan said the conferment of the new titles takes effect from Friday, August 25 2017.

The letter added that the conferment qualifies the new obas to wear a royal beaded crown and that the new High chiefs will also be addressed as His Royal Majesty while the newly promoted 21 baales will be addressed as His Royal Highness.

The Olubadan of Ibadan will however be addressed as His Imperial Majesty with the new arrangements.

Among the new obas who have received their letters of conferment is HRM (Senator) Oba Lekan Balogun who is to have been the next in line to the current Olubadan.

Others among Olubadan-in-Council are: the Otun Olubadan Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Eddy Oyewole and the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, the in-law of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland HRM Oba Amidu Ajibade and the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, HRM Oba (Dr.) Kolawole Adegbola.

cross section of the new obas of Ibadanland

The  baales promoted to obaship status and conferred with His Royal Highness status include: Chief Lasisi Akano, Onijaye of Ijaye; Chief Ismaila Olasunkanmi, Oniroko of Iroko, Chief Moses Olasunkanmi, Onikereku of Ikereku; Chiief Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo, Baale Olodo; Chief Victor Sunday Okunola, Elegbeda of Egbeda; Alhaji Wahab Olabamiji Okedina, Baale Okelade-Okin; Chief Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas, Alakufo of Akufo; Chief Gbolagade Muritala Babalola, Onido of Ido; Chief Dauda Omotoso, Baale Awotan; Chief Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo, Baale of Abanla and Chief James Oladipo Obisesan, Baale Akanran.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli assured that the new status is in the best interest of Ibadanland and the state adding that it will not undermine the powers or status of the Olubadan in anyway.

Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade said the newly promoted obas are to wear smaller crowns that will not demean that of the Olubadan in anyway.

Responding on behalf of the promoted Obas, HRM Oba Lekan Balogun thanked the governor for his doggedness and commitment to ensuring the implementation of a long overdue effort.

He promised that the new monarchs will work with the state government to bring rapid development to the people, Ibadanland and the state as a whole.