Expectations of subjects as Oba Ladoja ascends throne as 44th Olubadan

By Laolu Elijah, Ibadan

On Saturday 26th, 2025, the past metropolis of Ibadan volition beryllium agog with overmuch anticipation arsenic Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja ascends the incomparable stool of the Olubadan successful Yorubaland.

His enthronement arsenic the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland represents not conscionable a alteration successful accepted enactment but a turning constituent that galore judge could crook things astir for the sprawling city.

Born connected September 25, 1944 astatine Gambari, Ibadan to Alhaji Aruna Ladoja, a precise palmy cocoa trader and Alhaja Haleemat Ladoja, Oba Ladoja, a quintessential Olubadan began schooling from Ibadan City Council Primary School, Ibadan wherever helium had his simple acquisition and attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo for his secondary education.

He past proceeded to University of Liège, Belgium, wherever helium bagged Bachelor of Science successful Chemical Engineering.

He variously worked arsenic an technologist astatine the Nigerian Breweries PLC and Total Nigeria PLC. Oba Rashidi Ladoja is not a neophyte successful Nigerian politics.

He became the Governor of Oyo State connected May 29, 2003 – May 29, 2007, though punctuated by a arguable impeachment which the Apex Court, Supreme Court yet declared null and void.

Olubadan succession ladder

Having risen done the succession ladder successful Ibadan accepted council, helium became Otun Olubadan connected March 4, 2024.

Oba Ladoja who is from Otun enactment began climbing the succession ladder from Jagun Olubadan and moved done the strenuous rung of the ladder to Otun Olubadan.

Oba Adewolu, arsenic helium is popularly called, is not a alien to the nationalist stage. A seasoned politician, businessman, philanthropist, and erstwhile politician of Oyo State, helium carries into the palace a estimation that precedes him. That dual individuality — governmental and accepted — is shaping the chorus of expectations echoing crossed Ibadan’s sprawling hills and plains.

As a subordinate of the Olubadan-in-Council, Chief Adediran Olayinka succinctly enactment it, “Ibadan needs a begetter who volition unite america all. With Baba Ladoja, we expect reconciliation and progress.”

Olubadan stool is unsocial successful Yorubaland

Unlike immoderate different metropolis successful Yorubaland, Olubadan succession follows a strict ladder-like arrangement, ensuring that virtually each idiosyncratic who has joined the succession ladder has a accidental astatine the throne, provided his imagination is not shattered by unexpected death. This strategy minimizes disputes, though tensions inactive originate whenever a caller monarch is to beryllium crowned.

For galore residents, the enthronement of Oba Ladoja is simply a infinitesimal of healing aft caller uncertainties and debates astir succession. His agelong travel done authorities and nationalist work has fixed him stature that commands respect crossed divides.

Oba Ladoja sues for bid among accepted rulers

During the sojourn of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Eniitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to his Bodija residence successful Ibadan, Oba Ladoja had signified his intentions to foster bid during his reign.

He said, “If we each travel unneurotic with our ideas, with yours, we volition person our way, and arsenic God volition person it, the president of the state is our son, and helium has adjacent assured maine helium volition beryllium contiguous astatine my coronation ceremony.The acquisition of governance is antithetic from the acquisition utilized successful governmental intrigues and the concern circle. I don’t person the acquisition Ooni has due to the fact that 10 years connected the throne is nary joke. By the grace of God, you volition beryllium 1 of my teachers. I person said this to each the Obas that visited me”.

“Not each visitors person bully intentions”…Ooni of Ife

In his remarks, Ooni of Ife said, “Oba Ladoja is not conscionable a leader; helium is simply a begetter fig whose wealthiness of experience, calmness, and extent of contented are needed present much than ever. We cannot spend part among ourselves. If we neglect to unite, we neglect our ancestors and our people. Let america build, not break. Let america pb by illustration and permission legacies of bid and dignity.”

“Oba Ladoja is not conscionable a leader; helium is simply a begetter fig whose wealthiness of experience, calmness, and extent of contented are needed present much than ever.

“Ibadan is not conscionable different Yo...