Coronation; Ibadan agog dignitaries troop to Mapo Hall as Ladoja becomes 44th Olubadan
Coronation; Ibadan agog dignitaries troop to Mapo Hall as Ladoja becomes 44th Olubadan
The ancient city of Ibadan played host to eminent personalities home and abroad, traditional rulers and politicians, who gathered to witness the historical inauguration of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The ancient Mapo Hall, venue of the coronation came alive with pride and celebration on Friday.
The celebration, described to be the apex of a lifelong journey, is said to be historical in Nigeria, being the first time that a former governor, senator and successful businessman will become imperial majesty.
Ladoja, who turned 81 on Thursday, emerged from the civil line of the Olubadan throne, specifically from the Otun Olubadan position, which is the most senior chief in the civil line.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibadan’s unique rotational traditional system permits throne alternation between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) lines, a structure which has been carefully maintained for the past 170 years.
Olubadan stool became vacant following the passing of the Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7, at the age of 90 years.
Ladoja was installed as Jagun on Oct.1, 1993 by Oba Yesufu Oloyede-Asanike, after which he embraced each promotion for 32 years with perseverance, commitment and understanding as required by Olubadan chieftaincy system.
He accepted the ceremonial beaded crown in August 2024, a requirement for advancing to Olubadan under the revised Ibadan chieftaincy declaration.
NAN reports that early on Friday morning, residents and dignitaries had begun to arrive at the iconic Mapo Hall, venue of the event.
Every road leading to Mapo had displayed a vibrant and cultural outlook that reflects the importance and significance of the traditional rulers’ coronation.
Top security arrangements were on ground with heavy presence of various security agents to avoid break down of law and order.
Traditional drums echoed across the venue, with local groups performing chants and dances to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ibadanland and Yoruba race.
The presence of high ranking traditional rulers, top politicians, religious leaders and business tycoons from every part of the country symbolised national recognition of Ladoja’s significance beyond Yorubaland.
NAN recalled that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, during a courtesy visit to Ladoja residence on Sunday, described Olubadan-designate as a man who has seen it all being former governor, senator and experienced business magnate.
The Ooni added that Ladoja’s wealth of experience would bring unprecedented progress to Ibadanland, noting that traditional rulers must rally round themselves to ensure unity of Yorubaland.
Also, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Mr Peter Obi, underscored the importance of Ibadanland to the human and capital development of the nation.
Obi noted that socio-economic and political history of Nigeria would not be complete without Ibadan being mentioned, as Ibadanland had always played a pivotal role in both socio-economic and political history of Nigeria.
“The ancient city is blessed with the likes of Ladoja, who has seen it all as former governor and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is expected that his wealth of experience will be brought to bear in his new royal assignment as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland,”he said.
Similarly, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo state, Oba Francis Alao, described Ibadan kingship succession system as one of the best in Yoruba race with a good structure to identify next king.
He said that the rich experience and wisdom of the Olubadan-designate as a former governor and distinguished senator could not be underated in achieving much needed peaceful coexistence of the entire Yoruba race.
On his part, the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said that Ladoja has impressive track record which had made his colleagues former governors proud of him and always like to associate with him.
Also, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, cut short his 2025 annual leave to present the Staff of Office to Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The development followed the approval by the state House of Assembly of his notice of early resumption from leave submitted to the legislature on Thursday.
In the letter, the governor said he deemed it necessary to cut short his vacation and resume duty, due to the historic and culturally-significant event.
Makinde had initially informed the House of his annual leave from August 29 till Sept. 29, 2025.
NAN reports that major markets such as Oja-Oba, Ayeye, Oje and Ita-merin were temporarily shut as mark of honour and deep respect for Ibadan traditional institutions. (NAN
News
Tinubu mourns Abubakar’s passing, the Imam who shielded over 200 Christians in his mosque during communal riot
Tinubu mourns Abubakar’s passing, the Imam who shielded over 200 Christians in his mosque during communal riot
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, Chief Imam of Nghar village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau, who passed away at 92.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
The late cleric gained national and international recognition in 2018 for sheltering more than 200 Christians during communal violence in Plateau.
Tinubu described Abubakar as an extraordinary religious leader whose life exemplified faith, courage and a deep reverence for the sanctity of human life.
“At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience.
“Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection,” the President said.
He said the Imam’s actions embodied the true essence of faith and delivered a powerful message beyond sermons.
The President noted that the cleric’s uncommon bravery earned him local and international honours celebrating peaceful coexistence.
“I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar,” Tinubu said.
He prayed that God grants the late Imam eternal rest and rewards him for his courage and good deeds. (NAN)
News
Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum
Govt. introduces solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs in jss curriculum
The Anambra Government has introduced 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the Junior Secondary School (JSS) curriculum to enhance students’ practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new subjects include solar installation, garment making, GSM repairs, agriculture and processing, plumbing, tiling, POP installation and event management.
Others are bakery, hairstyling, make-up, interior design, CCTV/intercom installation, digital literacy, information technology and robotics.
Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairperson ,Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), while speaking at the occasion in Awka on Friday, said the initiative was aimed at repositioning education to meet contemporary needs.
Ikediugwu noted that in a rapidly changing world, education should go beyond theory and examinations to equip students with practical skills, creativity, innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset.
“The goal of the programme is to prepare learners, not only to seek jobs but to create value, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the state,”she said.
Mr Cyril Nwuche of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, delivered a paper titled “Building Entrepreneurial Secondary Schools: Why Every School Needs an Entrepreneurship Club”.
Nwuche said the introduction of entrepreneurial subjects showed that the government was on the path to transforming the state’s economy.
“Traditional academic instruction alone is no longer sufficient to prepare children for the future.
“There is the need for schools to embrace practical and skill-based learning to enable students to thrive in a dynamic global environment, ” he said. (NAN)
News
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
-
6 years ago
Our situation in Kano terrible – Gov Ganduje cries out
-
News11 months agoFG pledges commitment to enhance Police officers Welfare, implement Tinubu’s 8-point agenda for NPF
-
News11 months agoBREAKING; NSCDC gets approval to commence 2025 recruitment exercise
-
News9 months agoAlleged cocaine deal: Court issues orders in suspended DCP Abba Kyari’s case
-
News12 months agoDPO under investigation for allegedly taking teenage girl to his home while in police custody
-
News12 months agoJUST IN; Commissioner of Police bows out of Service
-
News9 months agoJUST IN; Police Inspector dies watching Arsenal match
-
News12 months agoBREAKING; NLC declare nationwide protest