It would be an understatement to say that the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, is already living up to expectations.
The diverse issues he now deals with on a daily basis are just too enormous. From communal issues to traditional engagements as well as visitors who seek his audience for political blessings, the list is endless.
In fact, everybody, either for political patronage or chieftaincy matter, now wants to be in Olubadan's good books due to his influence, affluence and wisdom.
Of course, the signs had always been there. There is no need for a seer to tell that Oba Ladoja's tenure as Olubadan will come with a difference. The impacts were beginning to be felt right from the day he was announced as the Olubadan-designate till the coronation day.
The economic gains of the coronation ceremony as well as the caliber of people who stormed the occasion will be talked about for a long time. The show of love towards Oba Ladoja was just unprecedented. It felt as though Ibadan is getting a king for the first time.
While It cannot be disputed that the monarch has always been influential as a former senator, former governor, and highly successful elder statesman, his influence, however, now has a wider coverage as a father to all irrespective of their political affiliation or age. And this is not limited to Ibadan alone but Oyo State generally.
Before now, late Alaafin Adeyemi was the supremo of Oyo's political and traditional standings. The respected late monarch alongside late business magnate Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao and the man referred to as the grand commander of Ibadan politics late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu were major determinants of who gets what in Oyo politics. They were the 3 musketeers whose influences positively shaped many issues that concerned the state.
But now that the 3 of them are out of the picture, Oba Ladoja has automatically become the ultimate father of political and traditional affairs not only in Ibadan but Oyo State as a whole.
Let's tell you more about some of Oba Ladoja's moves to make a difference as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
To consolidate the state's government efforts in tackling the menace of land grabbing, Oba Ladoja recently inaugurated a five-member legal advisory committee.
The committee, headed by a prominent legal luminary Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), is not only set up to resolve land disputes in Ibadan but also to provide legal guidance, address land grabbing, protect residents, and support the Oyo State Government's efforts to curb illegal land acquisition.
Not only that, the monarch has also raised an economic team aimed at bringing about economic revival and urban renewal in the ancient city.
In fact, things are rapidly taking shape under Oba Ladoja as Olubadan. The lingering leadership crisis among traders and artisans in Oyo State was recently resolved with the intervention of Olubadan.
The peace accord by the leadership of the 12 registered clusters that make up Oyo State Market Dealers Council has seen different court cases being discontinued.
Oba Ladoja, since his coronation, has also been making his views known in both state and national issues.
If you’re curious about why the monarch has adopted such a different approach since ascending the throne then you may not have seen his rich profile and antecedents.
Below is his official profile:
His Imperial Majesty Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, born on 25 September, 1944 in Gambari Village near Ogbomoso, Oyo State to Pa Yunusa Olayiwola and Madam Halimat Sadia Ladoja, is great achiever in all ramifications.
He's from the prominent Ladoja family of Arusa compound, Isale Osi, Ibadan.
The young Ladoja received his elementary education at Progressive Day School, Aladorin, Ibadan between 1950 and 1956
Thereafter, he attended Ibadan Boys High School, Oke Bola, Ibadan between 1958 and 1963.Rashidi Ladoja showed flashes of brilliance as a secondary school student.He made Grade 1 in his West African School Certificate Examinations.
He subsequently gained admission into Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo in 1964.He came first in the A Level admission examinations but could not resume as a student of the school immediately due to financial and logistics constraints.
When he finally showed up at Olivet Heights a little later, his school Principal, Mr Lafihan said that although the space for the newly admitted A Level students was already full,the school would rather create additional space to accommodate Rashidi Ladoja, its most brilliant candidate in the admission exams rather than lose him.At Olivet Heights, he studied A Level Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Additional Mathematics.
On sholarship, Ladoja gained admission into the University of Leige, Belgium to study Chemical Engineering in 1966 and graduated with a distinction in 1972.
On completion of his university education, Ladoja joined Total Nigeria, an oil company where he worked in different capacities for 13 years.
In 1985, he voluntarily left the company to venture into private business. Oba Ladoja’s business interests include shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and transportation.
For instance, he was a Director of the grand old Crystal Bank which later metamorphosed into Standard Trust Bank, STB which later teamed up with the United Bank for Africa, UBA .He was also a director of REAL shipping, REAL oil and KARLANDER Nigeria Limited.
Oba Ladoja’s journey into the exalted Olubadan throne started when he was appointed Mogaji of the all-inclusive Arusa family, Isale Osi, Ibadan in the present-day Ibadan South West Local Government.
On 1st October 1993, he was appointed Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland by late Oba Yusufu Oloyede Asanike in an impressive ceremony witnessed by dignitaries from different walks of life, including the presumed winner of June 12,1993 presidential election, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola,now late.
Incidentally, his journey to politics started about the same time. In 1992, he was elected a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP during the Ibrahim Babangida Convoluted transition to civil rule programme.
When the transition to civil rule programme was disrupted by the military following the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Oba Ladoja went into self-exile, along with others to press for the de-annulment of the election. This was a particularly tough time in the annals of Nigerian politics.
On his return from exile in 1995,Oba Ladoja joined the United Nigeria Congress Party, UNCP.It was on the platform of the defunct UNCP that he contested and won election into the Constitutional conference, Abuja during the shortlived Sani Abacha Political Transition programme .
Oba Ladoja was elected the Oyo State Governor under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in 2003.
His Administration’s education reform, particularly the 30 pupils per class policy, massive teachers recruitment, establishment of more schools, prompt payment of salaries, massive promotion of workers, impressive learning outcomes of Oyo State schools in externally moderated examinations Total Eradication of guinea worm,TEGO, and zero tolerance for corruption amongst others won him a wide perspective of affection.
However, his tenure was cut short in January 2006 when he was impeached as Oyo State Governor. His impeachment was,however, overturned in November 2006 by the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan. The Supreme Court upheld the decision. Thus,Oba Ladoja was reinstated as the Oyo State Governor on 12 December 2006 until his first term in office expired in 2007.
His political journey did not stop there. Following his inability to get a second term in office, he supported the candidacy of late Abiola Ajimobi of the ANPP for the 2007 gubernatorial election.
In 2011 elections, Oba Ladoja joined the Accord Party fondly called the third force in the then Oyo State politics.A grassroots mass movement,the Accord Party won 7 State House of Assembly and 4 National Assembly seats, thereby sending sending shock wave to the Oyo State political circle.
In 2019, Oba Ladoja was the rallying point of opposition figures who wanted a paradigm shift from late Gov Abiola Ajimobi ‘s two-term tenure as he was at the head of a coalition that produced Gov Seyi Makinde in his first term in office.
Having retired from active politics, Oba Ladoja now enjoys spending time with his family and contributing to community causes.
His commitment to community causes continues to resonate throughout Oyo State and beyond, inspiring future generations.
Credit: City People
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