The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, is trending.
A video in which he predicted that the Oyo State former governor Rashidi Ladoja will be Olubadan has been making the rounds on social media.
The video was brought back to the public consciousness with the recent passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin. Adetunji was the Olubadan succeeded by Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin, who also joined his ancestors at 90 on Monday, July 7, 2025. Owolabi, whose death has since caused a shift of attention to Ladoja as the most senior chief in the line (Otun) to produce the next Olubadan, ascended the throne in July 12, 2024.
In the video, late Oba Saliu Adetunji could be seen praying fervently for God to spare the life of Ladoja, the then Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, to be able to ascend the throne of Olubadan.
"By God's grace you too will get to where I am today. Someone was on the throne before me. But when God said it was my turn, I ascended the throne. You too will get there," Oba Adetunji said at an Islamic lecture in Ibadan.
This remark by late Oba Adetunji didn't only surprise many people but also got commendations within the Muslim community.
In fact, a popular Islamic scholar and the Chief Imam of Offa, Sheik Muyideen Hussein, who was the guest lecturer of the event, couldn't but expressed his amazement to Oba Adetunji's noble gesture towards Ladoja.
That, according to him, was the very first time he would see a reigning king praying for a possible successor.
Sheikh Muyideen said, "Walahi, Olubadan (referring to late Oba Adetunji) is a prophet. For a reigning king to be praying for his possible successor that he too would get to the throne he presently occupies says a lot. Even you that is rich man never wish your own child well talk less of a reigning king."
Interestingly, while the viral video has continued to get traction across different social media platforms, not many know the actual event where the prediction took place.
However, our findings have revealed the event as the maiden edition of Ladoja's annual Ramadan lecture at the popular Watershed Events Centre, Old Ife-Road, Ibadan.
The lecture, we also gathered, came to being as result of a divine revelation from God through one of Ladoja's godsons, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem MCIArb, MCIOB, МСАВЕ, the CEO of Afia Construction & Building Engineering Consultancy Services Ltd., who also doubles as the Turaki Adinni of Oyo State and Mogaji of Adanla compound. The revelation was said to have been presented by Adanla to Ladoja, who embraced it with his two hands, about seven years ago.
Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State and a successful businessman, after the death of Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin, is the next in line to ascend the throne of Olubadan.
He's currently the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, being the most senior chief in Otun line (there are two lines to Olubadan throne-the Otun line and the Balogun line).
Also, his position as the Otun Olubadan has automatically positioned him as a beaded crown wearing Oba. This is in conformity with the recently reviewed Olubadan Chieftaincy Law.
The law, among other things, states that any chief that has risen to be a High Chief and a member of the Olubadan-in-Council is entitled to wear a beaded crown.
And being a beaded crown wearing oba, according to the law, doesn't in any way affect the normal elevation to the Olubadan throne
Initially, Ladoja opposed this innovation, as it clashed with the traditional customs he had long upheld.
At one point, the Olubadan-in-Council even threatened to disqualify him if he persisted in rejecting the crown.
Eventually, Ladoja yielded to the evolving tradition, wearing the beaded crown and thereby positioning himself back in line for the throne.
His acceptance was seen by many as a pragmatic move, a sacrifice for peace, progress, and the preservation of the ancient Ibadan tradition.
With the recent passing of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, and following the brief transition of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, all eyes are now on Ladoja as the next in line to occupy the revered stool.
0 Comments