Finally, Ladoja wears beaded crown
After seven years of waiting, a former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was finally presented the ceremonial beaded crown.
At a ceremony held at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, the beaded crown was presented to him by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin. This was the first official duty of the 43rd Olubadan since he was crowned last month.
The Olubadan also congratulated the people of Ibadan on the renewed unity amongst the kingmakers, which, he said, will bring about peace, progress and development.
“With the coronation of Oba Rasidi Ladoja as a beaded crown Oba, my reign is starting on a very harmonious note to the benefit of Ibadanland as all kingmakers are all now on the same page,” he stated.
While accepting the crown, Ladoja noted, “They said we should do it the way it is supposed to be done. Ibadan is capable of doing its own thing. We have ways of doing our things. Once we enter the inner chamber, we must realise that things will change. All the problems are as a result of misunderstanding.”
Recall that Ladoja had announced on a live radio programme that he had agreed to accept the crown after seven years of uncertainty. He had first rejected the crown in August 2017 and again in July 2023, because he stated that he joined the Olubadan chieftaincy system some decades ago to wear the crown of the paramount ruler of Ibadanland ,and not any other lesser crown.
At the occasion, Ladoja was presented with the staff of office and certificate by representatives of the state government.
This was even as Ladoja, was heartily congratulated by some the people in attendance, including members of the Olubadan-in-Council, family heads, political office holders, and other well-wishers.
Society Plus also gathered that the former governor’s private residence had been besieged by guests, who had been trooping in to en-masse to felicitate him.
