Few minutes after his installment and receiving the Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde as the 44th Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday, 26 September, 2025 made a public appeal for the creation of Ibadan State before President Bola Tinubu who was present at the coronation ceremony.
The new Monarch speaking in Yoruba at the august ceremony urged Tinubu to make this a reality before 2027.
“My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”
Similarly, Governor Makinde said the emergence of Ladoja as the 44th traditional leader of the ancient city is a source of pride to the people of Ibadan.
“It is a great honour to join in celebrating the coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adewolu Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The joy and excitement that fill Ibadan today remind us of the importance of upholding our cherished traditions.
“The succession process to the throne of Olubadan is now well established and free from contestation, and this is a source of pride for us all. I rejoice with the Olubadan, the Ibadan Council of Chiefs, and the entire people of Ibadanland.
“It is my prayer that the reign of Oba Adewolu Ladoja will usher in lasting peace, unity, and greater progress for Ibadanland and for Oyo State as a whole,” he said.
The coronation ceremony also drew the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; a former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; a former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and a former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke who are all in attendance.
Also in attendance were Senator Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), and Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North in the House of Representatives, alongside other Federal and state lawmakers.
