In a move widely described as unprecedented, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) is rallying influential indigenes of the ancient city to support the planned weeklong celebration of new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, who is to be crowned on Friday, September 26, as the 44th Olubadan.
The President-General of CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, recently inaugurated a committee headed by two of the city’s billionaire businessmen, Engr. Dotun Sanusi and Chief Adegboye Adegoke, to co-chairman a committee for the celebration.
The Oyo State Government had earlier inaugurated Chief Adebayo Oyero-Committee to work out plans for the coronation of Oba Ladoja, in line with its tradition of funding the coronation of first class traditional rulers in the state.
The CCII however thought of giving the current Olubadan-designate a deserved better celebration more than the previous Olubadan monarchs, for his being a successful billionaire businessman, former Senator, former governor and elder statesman.
It therefore inaugurated the Committee with some frontline Ibadan sons donating N10 million each for the celebration.
The Committee picked seven other days apart from the government single day of coronation day, to make the celebration a weeklong event.
Not only that, these influentials have facilitated live broadcast of the coronation with Arise TV, Channels TV, TVC, Solution FM and Ilaji FM, among other frontline national stations, to beam and air the event live.
According to Comrade Demola Babalola and Alhaji Kunle Junaid who are both co-chairman of the Local Organizing Committee in charge of Media/Publicity Subcommittee, part of the weeklong programme is the Monday, September 22 inter-religious prayers at Olubadan Palace Oke-Aremo, Ibadan and a stage play on the progenitor of Kabiyesi Arusa at the Apex Hall, Yidi Agodi area.
On Tuesday, September 23, there will be Cultural Day holding at the Olubadan Stadium, as well as first Olubadan coronation lecture to be delivered by a renown Ibadan-born globally-acknowledged historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
On Thursday, there will be a special programme for Oba Ladoja will clock 81years on that day , with Islamic prayers at the Olubadan Palace at 10a.m., and mega praise and worship at the Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan starting from 2p.m.
Expectedly, Oba Ladoja’s coronation will take place on Friday at Mapo Hall from 9a.m. while the reception organised by the monarch and his family holds at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium from 3pm.
On Sunday, September 28, there will be thanksgiving service at the Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, while a grand civic reception will follow at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan at 2pm.
On Friday October 3, there will be a Jumat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba; and on Saturday, October 4, the traditional worshippers (Isese) will converge at Ose Meji Temple, Oja’ba.
