Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin has been crowned as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The coronation ceremony was held on Friday, July 12, at the Labosinde compound, the family whose right is to crown any Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Those present at the venue included a former Oyo State Governor and member of the Olubadan-in-Council, Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; and a former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, among others
Earlier, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the Staff of Office and the Instrument of Office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin The governor made the presentation around 2:45 p.m., during a ceremony at the frontage of Mapo Hall in Ibadan.
“By the power conferred upon me as the Governor by sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 20 of the Chiefs Law Cap 28 Vol.1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000, I hereby present the Instrument/Staff of Office, which symbolises your authority as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin,” the governor said as he presented the staff of office to the monarch.
In his appreciation speech, 89-year-old Oba Olakulehin, thanked Governor Makinde, kings and dignitaries as well as all Ibadan indigenes for their support.
“I thank all Ibadan people for honoring and celebrating me. May Ibadan always progress and may Nigeria never fail. We are very grateful. We appreciate all the kings present here, may they all be honoured. I thank the representative of the Nigerian president too. Thank you very much.”
Olukelehin was nominated and coronated as Olubadan after the seat became vacant after the demise of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his forefathers at the age of 81 after ruling for two years.
Who is Oba Olakulehin
On July 5, 1935, Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin was born in Okugbaja Village, located near Akanran in what is now the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria to Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi.
Olakulehin began his education in rural Nigeria at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran, before moving to Ibadan where he attended Islamic School, Odoiye, and later St Peter Primary School, Aremo. He taught briefly as a primary school teacher in Akobo, Ibadan, before pursuing vocational education in printing and artwork at Yaba Technical Institute. He subsequently worked at the Ministry of Works in Ibadan, gaining qualifications in building from Yaba College of Technology.
In 1970, Olakulehin joined the Nigerian Army Corp of Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant through the Direct Short Service Commission. Under General Olusegun Obasanjo, he served in Benin and Sapele, rising to the rank of Major. His military career included commanding roles at the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos, spanning 25 years until his voluntary retirement on October 1, 1979.
After leaving the military, Olakulehin founded FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a building contracting company that handled projects for private, corporate, and government clients, including the Nigerian Army. He also ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing Solid Prints (formerly Olakulehin Press) and FAKOL Bakery in Ibadan.
In politics, Olakulehin was a founding member of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State during the Third Republic. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1992, representing Ibadan South East Constituency. During his tenure, he chaired the House Committee of the Nigerian Army, contributing to legislative oversight and governance.
How Ibadan Chooses Their Kings
Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, Nigeria, and the largest city in West Africa has a unique Obaship system enshrined in the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
Unlike other systems, there is no blue blood in Ibadan, every son of the ancient city is a potential Olubadan. All it requires is for you to be nominated as Mogaji (Head) of your family and then rise to the
top of the ladder, either from Balogun (Military) line or Otun (Civil) line. Yes, it takes grace, and longevity of life for one to become Olubadan as well.
From the Balogun Line, there are 23 steps while there are 22 steps from the Otun Line. It means that as Mogaji one has to climb 23 ladders from Balogun Line and 22 from Otun Line before becoming Olubadan.
In Balogun Line after the first step which is Jagun, there are Ajia, Bada, Aare Onibon, Gbonnka, Aare Egbe-Omo, Oota, Laguna, Aare Ago, Ayingun, Asaaju, Ikolaba, Aare Alasa, Agba Akin, Ekefa, Maye, Abese, Ekarun Balogun, Ekerin Balogun, Asipa Balogun, Osi Balogun, Otun Balogun, and Balogun.
From Otun Line, also known as Egbe Agba, we have Jagun, Ajia, Bada, Aare Onibon, Gbonnka, Aare Egbe-Omo, Oota, Laguna, Aare Ago, Ayingun, Asaju, Ikolaba, Aare Alasa, Agba Akin, Ekefa, Maye, Abese, Ekarun Olubadan, Ekerin Olubadan, Asipa Olubadan, Osi Olubadan and Otun Olubadan.
Growing call for change in old order
Meanwhile, despite the perceived smooth and organized nature of Ibadan’s Obaship rotational system, there is mounting pressure from a segment of the community to review this traditional practice. Advocates for change argue that the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration has become outdated and requires reconsideration.
Supporters of this perspective advocate for the emergence of a younger Olubadan, contrasting with the current provisions of the 1957 Declaration.
Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi attempted to reform this system in 2017 by elevating several Baales and High Chiefs to the status of beaded crown-wearing kings. This move followed the adoption of recommendations from a judicial commission of inquiry initiated during his administration.
Ajimobi stated that the reform aimed to modernize and enhance the traditional chieftaincy system, fostering development and efficiency across the ancient city and the state at large.
However, this initiative faced significant opposition, particularly from the former Governor of the state, High Chief Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who was then Osi Olubadan, and Oba Saliu Adetunji, the reigning Olubadan at that time.
The ensuing legal battles culminated in Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to reverse Ajimobi’s actions, withdrawing the crowns of the elevated chiefs as part of an out-of-court settlement.
Subsequently, Governor Makinde has sought legislative approval from the State Assembly to amend section 28 of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Law 2023, allowing traditional leaders to wear beaded crowns. This move would potentially re-elevate the ten high chiefs of the Olubadan-in-Council to the status of kings while preserving the existing Obaship system.
The Obaship system is widely regarded as Nigeria’s most organized and peaceful succession process concerning kingship.
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