Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the openness and large heart of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr.) Olalekan Balogun, earned him the throne.
Osinbajo, in his remarks at the installation of Balogun, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, also prophesied that the reign of the traditional ruler would witness greatness.
“He was better prepared for the throne, having been a scholar, former senator and champion of indigenous culture and community empowerment,” the vice-president said.
Osinbajo, while congratulating the new Olubadan and the government of Oyo state on the coronation, commended the orderliness and unique steps taken in ascending the throne.
The Oba Balogun was installed and presented with the Staff and Instrument of Office by the Oyo state governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, at exactly 12:32p.m.
Makinde, in his address, urged the new Ibadan foremost traditional ruler to remain steadfast as the gatekeeper of the Ibadan traditional system.
The governor urged the traditional rulers, as custodians of the traditional system, not to play politics with the system.
He said no politician, no matter how highly placed, could destroy any system without the cooperation of members of the system.
Makinde implored Balogun and the Olubadan-In-Council to work toward ensuring that the laws, having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan, remain sacrosanct.
He advised the Olubadan-In- Council to be self-conceived and remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class, if there was going to be any amendment in the laws.
The governor said further that he had always taken a stand for the integrity of traditional systems.
He said, “And so, I am especially delighted that today, Friday, March 11, the sanctity of the emergence of this century-old dynasty, has been restored.
“His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, Okumade II, has distinguished himself as an excellent professional.
“He has without doubt contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo state at large.
“He has served both in private and public services and has even represented Oyo state at the senate.
“He is indeed a man of many parts and so, we rejoice that His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okumade II, climbed the 22 steps on the Olubadan line, starting from the lowest rung of Jagun Olubadan over a period of 39 years.
“We rejoice because His Imperial Majesty, having seen how things were when politics became a factor in the ascension to the throne, is in a great position to defend the traditions of our people and ensure that this does not happen again.
“And, I want to restate that though we politicians will come and go, sometimes to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.
“But, this is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand preventing us from tinkering with the age-old traditional systems.
“So, I join the Oyo state government, sons and daughters of Ibadan and good people of Oyo State to wish the Imperial Majesty a peaceful and successful reign.”
Other dignitaries in attendance were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state; Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state; deputy governor of Osun state, Benedict Alabi, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor of Ondo state.
Also in attendance were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; and Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jiauchun.
Others were Oba Yusuf Adeleye, the Olubaka of Okaland in Ondo state; Oluwo of Iwoland; the Ikere of Saki and Aseyin of Iseyin.
Also present were a former governor of Oyo state and the Otun Olubadan, Chief Rasidi Ladoja, and a former deputy governor of Lagos state, Femi Pedro, who represented Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
