By
Eniola Olatunji 

Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday in Ibadan the Oyo State Capital commended Nigerians for being resilient toward the current economic hardship burdening the country.

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that very soon, the burden will be lifted and there will be a great economic recovery.

He was speaking at the Ibadan foremost civic center, Mapo Hall during the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, His Excellency, Senator, and Engineer Rashid Adewolu Ladoja Aresa 1.

President Tinubu thanked the people of Ibadan for their massive support when he came to Oke Mapo to solicit for their support and votes during the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria.

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde who is a political son of Oba Ladoja explained that he was performing the role of installing the Arusa 1 of Ibadan land in full accordance to the laws of the Oyo State Government.

He applauded the smooth succession system to the coveted traditional stool of Ibadan land claiming it is the most peaceful in Yoruba land.

The Olubadan, Oba Ladoja who was impeached during his reign as Governor at the time Bola Tinubu was Lagos State Governor but restored by the courts; both served at the same period as Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria thanked everyone for their support and attendances.

Grinning like a school boy after receiving the certificate and staff of office from Governor Makinde, Oba Ladoja fervently pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to create Ibadan State before 2007 when his first time will expire for Ibadan has a large population described by Professional Demographers as the third largest population in Africa. 

The motion for the creation of Ibadan State which is on the third reading at the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja was moved by the son of the late walking encyclopedia of Yoruba tradition, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111 by his son, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi known in the political space as SKIMEH.

Oba Ladoja who is a Muslim had fulfilled the traditional rites at the OSE MEJI shrine at Oja Oba, later picked the traditional calabash containing honey translating in Yoruba mythology that his reign will be favorable for the land.

The installation was witnessed by leading traditional leaders in Nigeria including the Sultan of Sokoto; The Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo. The crowd also included ‘de la crème’ Politicians and captains of industry.

Oyo State Government had spent billions of Naira to upgrade the Ibadan Airport to international standard which was opened last Wednesday with the first flight being the advanced team of the nation’s President. The Sultan of Sokoto and his entourage among other dignitaries also made use of the airpot.

Oba Ladoja who is an internationally certified Engineer was gifted with a brand new Phantom Rolls Royce on Thursday while a customized  revolving statute of his was unveiled on Friday  both gifts from Billionaire Ibadan citizens. 

The coronation was the hallmark of a week-long activities which included a public lecture by American based Nigerian academic guru, Prof Toyin Falola; a mega Praise to the Almighty God organized by Olori Bukola Ladoja that featured iconic Evang. Dr. Bola Are and a gallery of worship Ministers while there were several ‘joints’ for reception thereafter on Friday with free famous Amala and Gbegiri  which is a food delicacy of the Ibadan people on Menu.