By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Facts emerged on Friday, 5 April, 2024 that all is now set for the coronation of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, confirmed the development on Friday while speaking with newsmen shortly after members of the Olubadan-In-Council visited the next Olubadan at his private residence at No 1, Cassia Street, Alalubosa Government Reserved Area in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Recall that Oba Olakulehin, on Friday,5 April, 2024 made his first public appearance since the death of the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and died at the age of 81.
Also at the meeting were the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi: and Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola.
Oba Adebimpe said Oba Olakulehin is hale and hearty, adding, “It is impossible for the Olubadan-In-Council to nominate Olakulehin as the Olubadan unless we are sure that he is in good condition.
“It has been some time since we have seen our Kabiyesi Olakulehin in our midst. Now, we have been making arrangements for Olakulehin’s coronation ceremony, who is our new Olubadan of Ibadanland. We thank God that he is hale and hearty; and very soon, he will ascend the throne of his forefathers. And we will relate what we saw here to our colleagues.”
Going by Ibadan chieftaincy arrangement, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his line, Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting convened by the most senior chief in the other line within 21 days of the demise of the last monarch.
Meanwhile, the family of the next paramount ruler has begun the distribution of clothes for the coronation.
It was gathered that clothes were distributed to the members of the family and interested members of the public during the visit to his private residence.
