The ancient city of Ibadan was agog on Friday as Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso 1) was crowned the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Adetunji, 87, was crowned at about 10.51 a.m. by the 10th Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadanland, Chief Idowu Popoola.
A doyen of the music industry and the former Balogun of Ibadanland, Adetunji arrived the Oluwo Afobaje’s palace, Oja Oba, at exactly 9.52 a.m. in a Peugeot 307 CC 180 with registration number KJA 701 DZ clad in the traditional Aso-Oke to commence the traditional rites.
The new monarch left the Afobaje’s palace at exactly 10.18a.m. to the Afobaje arcade where he was crowned.
Adetunji, who also performed the calabash selection event, picked the Money Calabash, a reflection that his reign would depict prosperity.
Speaking at the event, Popoola, the Afobaje, described the coronation ceremony as unique in the history of Ibadan, commending Gov. Abiola Ajimobi for his support.
Popoola said that the new king became a Mogaji during his father’s reign as the Olubadan in 1976.
He said that Ibadan began to use the appellation “Olubadan of Ibadanland” under the reign of Late Oba Abas Aleshinloye in 1936.
Adetunji, the only king to be installed by an Ibadan indigene as governor, has his formal title as Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso 1.
Members of the Olubadan-in-Council led by High Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and High Chief Rasheed Ladoja among others paid the traditional respect to the new king.
The new King left for the Ose-Meji Shrine where he underwent some other spiritual rites before proceeding to the historic Mapo Hall arcade where he was officially installed by Governor Ajimobi.
In his address, Ajimobi said that the choice of Oba Adetunji was in accordance to the unique traditional selection process, adding that he had also fulfilled legal conditions attached to the ascension to the throne.
Ajimobi said, “Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji has been chosen because he has satisfied all the processes expected of a contender to the stool and found capable according to the Oyo State’s Chief’s law cap 28.
“The law states that whoever will ascend the Olubadan throne must not be found to be physically invalid, a lunatic or of unsound mind. Kabiyesi has passed these encumbrances and has been chosen by the Olubadan-in-council to become the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
The governor described the new monarch as a successful business icon that started humbly and later became the owner of record labels that produced and marketed many renowned artistes like the late Dauda Epo Akara and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, among others.
He said any occupant of Olubadan stool must be above board in his dealings with his subjects because the jurisdiction of the king spanned over eleven local government areas in and around the metropolitan city.
Ajimobi intimated the gathering about the preparedness of his administration to review the Chief’s Law in order to ensure speedy conclusion of the appointment of future Olubadan and the status of other chiefs.
He said, “The government will soon start the review of the traditional Chief’s Law, among other laws, to ease the process of selecting future Olubadan and ensure speedy conclusion of appointment to the office.”
He relayed the laid down processes and elevations a would-be Olubadan is expected to go through before becoming the king from the Balogun line as 23, which, he said, the newly crowned king had fulfilled before being selected by the Olubadan-in-council.
In his maiden address to the people, the new Olubadan appreciated dignitaries and citizens of Ibadan that made the occasion unique, especially Ajimobi and other governors that attended the event, Olubadan-in-council, traditional rulers, and other well-wishers.
He enjoined the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency create the Ibadan State and upgrade the status of the Ibadan airport to an International standard.
Olubadan said, “I appreciate you all for according me this honour as represented by this historic coronation ceremony, especially the Oyo State Government and my Chiefs that have been working around the clock for the success of this day.
“I thank the Sultan of Sokoto (Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar) and other eminent kings for coming and wish them all a safe trip back home. My special request goes to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency work for the creation of Ibadan State, and to do everything possible to upgrade Ibadan Airport to an International standard.”
Dignitaries from all walks of life attended the epoch-making ceremony as the event was witnessed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oba of Lagos; Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo; Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Zulu Gambari; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Rasheed Akanbi; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Sotobi; among other royal fathers.
The occasion was also attended by many State Governors: Lagos (Akinwumi Ambode); Ogun (Ibikunle Amosun); Osun (Rauf Aregbesola); Ekiti (Ayodele Fayose); Imo (Rochas Okorocha); former Governors of Oyo, Osun and Ogun, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Aremo Segun Osoba respectively, All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as well as other eminent personalities from all walks of life.
