In a move widely described as unprecedented, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) is rallying influential indigenes of the City to support the planned weeklong celebration of new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja who takes crown next Friday 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 Adegboyega Adegoke to Co-Chairman a committee for the celebration.
The State Government had earlier inaugurated Chief Adebayo Oyero-Committee to work out plans for the Friday September 26 coronation of Oba Ladoja in line with its tradition of funding the coronation of first class traditional rulers in the State.
But the CCII on its own believed that unlike the previous Olubadans, the current Olubadan-designate being a successful billionaire businessman, former Senator, former Governor and elder-statesman deserves a better celebration.
It therefore inaugurated the Committee with some frontline Ibadan Sons donating N10million 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; Solutions FM and Ilaji FM; amongst other frontline national stations to beam and air the event live.
Part of the weeklong program 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, is the Monday’s 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; Tuesday’s Cultural Day holding at the Olubadan stadium; A 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, Oba Ladoja will clock 81years with special Programme for the day like Islamic prayers at the Olubadan palace by 10am and mega praise and worship at the civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan starting from 2pm.
Expectedly, Friday is the coronation day at Mapo Hall from 9am while the reception organised by the monarch and his family holds at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium from 3pm. And later on Sunday September 28, thanksgiving service holds at the Church of Ascension Bodija Ibadan and a grand civic reception will follow at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan by 2pm.
On Friday October 3rd, there will be a Jumat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba and later on Saturday October 4th, the traditional worshippers “Isese” will converge at Ose Meji Temple Oja’ba.
