Olubadan: Olakulehin begins traditional rites

The Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will commence the traditional rites soon, in preparation to ascend the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

This followed the approval by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, on Wednesday.

The governor’s approval was contained in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, “in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.”

According to a family source who craved anonymity, because he did not have the approval to speak on the issue, Oba Olakulehin would go into seclusion after a date for the coronation has been set.

A chieftain of Afenifere and a family head in Ibadan, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH, said the Olubadan-designate could choose wherever he likes for his seclusion, adding that the principal thing was for him to have the time to prepare for the task ahead.

“In seclusion, he would commune with his forebears and past rulers of the ancient city. He would think of the responsibility that lies ahead and pray for the success of his reign,” he told The PUNCH.

On the duration of the seclusion, Adejumo said there was no stipulated time in law, as he, however, added that the Olubadan-designate must make visits to three important places around the Oja’ba axis, as part of the traditional rites.

He said Lagelu, the progenitor of Ibadan land and the first Olubadan, came from Ile-Ife with the warrior-turned-priest, Labosinde, whose generation had carried on as the Oluwo (chief priest) of Ibadanland, adding that by custom and tradition, the traditional ruler would be crowned at the Ose Meji shrine by the Oluwo of Ibadan.

Meanwhile, activities have again sprung up at the Alalubosa Estate residence of Oba Olakulehin, as Makinde approved him as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land.

At the residence on Thursday were the proprietor of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resorts and a Mogaji in Ibadan land, Dotun Sanusi; other Mogajis and a former President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Bayo Oyero.

It was gathered that prominent Ibadan elders, among whom were Chief Bode Amao and the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, were at the residence on Wednesday.