Tinubu, others storm Ibadan Friday as city agog for Ladoja’s coronation

•Obasanjo felicitates, warns against politics

•Markets shut, airdrome reopens for 44th Olubadan

By James Ogunnaike, Adeola Badru & Dickson Omobola

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, is successful a festive mood, arsenic President Bola Tinubu and different dignitaries hole to be the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, connected Friday.

The coronation, billed to clasp astatine Mapo Hall, volition gully accepted rulers, eminent personalities, politicians, scholars, and citizens of Ibadanland successful solemnisation of the erstwhile governor’s ascension to the past throne.

Obasanjo cautions against interference

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated Oba Ladoja, urging him to clasp humility, patience, and divine contented successful his caller role.

In a congratulatory missive dated July 14, 2025, Obasanjo, who is presently attending the 80th United Nations General Assembly successful New York, prayed successful Yoruba: “Ade a pe lori, bata a pe lese” — wishing the monarch a agelong and impactful reign.

“It is an exalted and liable presumption to beryllium accepted ruler of each Ibadan people. It requires humility, patience, divine wisdom, tolerance and proposal from wide and varied quarters to succeed. Traditional rulership does not vie oregon struggle with governmental rulership,” Obasanjo wrote.

Reign‘ll herald modernisation—Falola

Delivering the First Olubadan Coronation Lecture titled “Ibadan History: Issues successful Tradition and Modernity”,  renowned historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, has expressed optimism that the caller Olubadan’s reign volition usher successful modernisation successful Ibadanland.

Falola described Oba Ladoja arsenic a politician, statesman, and businessman whose power would widen beyond tradition.

“Though helium is not the governor, the expectations of the radical of Ibadan and the authorities are precocious due to the fact that helium has the powerfulness to power things to beryllium achievable,” Falola said.

He urged Ibadan residents to clasp amended biology hygiene, discarded management, and taste preservation arsenic portion of modernisation nether the caller monarch.

Ibadan airdrome reopens

In readiness for Friday’s expansive event, the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport successful Ibadan reopened yesterday aft 5 months of closure.

At precisely 9:14 a.m., an beforehand craft from the statesmanlike fleet touched down, marking the archetypal accomplishment since March 2025. The improvement confirmed the airport’s operational readiness for high-profile flights, including President Tinubu’s scheduled arrival.

Governor Seyi Makinde, who initiated the upgrade successful September 2024, said the task would heighten connectivity and boost Oyo State’s economy.

“The upgrade of the airdrome is expected to heighten aerial question operations and supply a reliable proscription web for some concern and leisure travellers, positioning the authorities for economical maturation and development,” Makinde said.

Markets to unopen arsenic traders honourOlubadan

Meanwhile, markets crossed Ibadan volition adjacent connected Friday arsenic traders wage homage to the caller monarch.

Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Asiwaju Yekeen Abass, said the closure was a people of respect and urged traders to be the coronation ceremonial astatine Mapo Hall.

He congratulated Oba Ladoja connected behalf of the state’s trading community, praying for “a peaceful, prosperous, and impactful reign that would bring advancement to Ibadanland and Oyo State arsenic a whole.”

The station Tinubu, others tempest Ibadan Friday arsenic metropolis agog for Ladoja’s coronation appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.