Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan- designate, has called on all traditional rulers in Yorubaland to make peaceful co-existence, unity, promotion and preservation of Yoruba culture and traditions their watch words.
This is coming as Oba Ladoja expressed worry over reported lingering supremacy feud between Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife and Oba Akeem Owoade, Alaafin of Oyo, blaming supporters of the monarchs.
Ladoja, who received Oba Michael Adeyobiojo Odunayo Adeagbo Ajayi Arowotawaya ii, Elerinmo of Erinmo – Ijesa, on a congratulatory visit at his residence, Ondo Street, said “Yoruba has rich cultural values that the whole world cherishes and respect, nothing should be done to tarnish these Yoruba cultural heritages.
Welcoming the Elerinmo of Erinmo and his entourage, Oba Ladoja expressed his gratitude to the monarch and the entire people of Erinmo Ijesa for the congratulatory visit made.
Earlier in his speech, Elerinmo of Erinmo said,”With great Joy and heartfelt delight, I extend my warm congratulations on your ascension to the revered throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland. Your emergence is a testimony of divine providence, wisdom and the collective trust of the great people of Ibadanland,”
Oba Ajayi prayed that as Olubadan -designate steps into the exalted office, his reign will usher in greater peace, unity and development for Ibadanland and indeed for Yoruba land as whole
Elerinmo of Erinmo Ijesa disclosed that the stool of Olubadan is of historical significance, he further prayed that Oba Ladoja reign be marked with wisdom, long life, prosperity and countless achievements that will further uplift the heritage and dignity of the Yoruba race
Meanwhile, Oba Ladoja has said that moving Ibadanland forward is a collective responsibility, hence all hands must be on deck to move the ancient city forward.
Receiving the family members of late Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin 1) who paid a congratulatory visit to the new Olubadan-designate at his residence, said there was need to ensure the progress of Ibadanland particularly from Ibadan sons and daughters within and in diaspora as well as residents of Ibadan city.
Warmly receiving the Oba Olakulehin family members, the Olubadan-designate expressed his gratitude for the congratulatory visit by Olakulehin’ family
According to Oba Ladoja, am overwhelmed for your visit which is not a surprise to me since we had been together quite a long time particularly as members of the same royal family and we share many things in common on promotion and preservation of Ibadan Cultural heritage as well as injecting sanity into Ibadan Traditional system and making efforts to taking Ibadanland to a greater height
Earlier in his congratulatory messages, Olasunmbo Owolabi Olakulehin, the Aremo to late Olubadan, congratulated the Oba Ladoja for ascending the throne of his forefathers praying God almighty to give him sound health and longevity of life in the service of God and humanity
In his words,”We are here to pay not only congratulatory messages but to pledge our solidarity support and unalloyed loyalty. We are ready to answer your clarion calls to jointly maintain peaceful co -existence, unity and progress of Ibadanland whenever the need arises.
Present at the congratulatory visit apart from Olasunmbo Olakulehin were Osuolale, Adekunle, Owolabi Olakulehin, Ramoni Alabi among others.
Meanwhile, Oba Ladoja, who decried the feud between Ooni and Alaafin, urged supporters of the two monarchs to use their energies on things that will fast track development of Yorubaland.
While receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao and his wife on a courtesy visit, Ladoja said supporters of the monarchs were the ones fanning members of discord to justify their position in history.
According to him, “I believe neither the Ooni of Ife nor the Alaafin of Oyo is promoting disunity. The supporters are the people who are trying to justify history having forgotten the fact that history most of the time can be subjective. Alaafin cannot go to Ile-Ife and rule over the people there, vis-a-vis Ooni of Ife. They have their different territories where they are operating.
“The kind of history their supporters are making reference to is like that of history of Britain colonized America. That was in the past. Today, if America sneezes, the entire Britain will catch a cold. The position of Ibadan on this matter is well documented in history, without the influence of Ibadan, the traditional title of the entire Obas in Yoruba land would have been Emir”
He added, “We are not talking about the place of Ibadan in history but the modernisation of what is left of the former Ibadan Empire. We have commenced the process of the modernization of Ibadan land. All the traditional rulers including Baales and Mogajis have critical roles to play in this regard”.
Oba Ladoja solicited the support of Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao, saying that his wealth of experience will assist in this regard.
Responding, Oba Alao said: “we have made history today not only in Oyo State but across Nigeria with the ascension of the former governor and Senator to the throne of Olubadan.
“With my consultation with other monarchs in the state, they have all agreed to work with him. I want to let everybody know that our role as traditional rulers is that of advisory as we do not have executive power.
“By doing so, we will work with the government at all levels and the stakeholders to enhance the development of our respective domains. The development of our respective domains should be our priorities. We are the closest to the people. The development of Oyo State should be our priorities.”
In the same vein, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, the Balogun of Ibadan land, who visited Oba Ladoja for the first time, assured him of his support of the entire members of Olubadan in Council.
“What Oba Ladoja needed most now is the support of all the stakeholders to achieve the set goals of the development and move Ibadan land forward,” Oba Ajibola stated.
