The Oyo State Government on Friday issued letters of conferment of Obaship on 21 chiefs in Ibadanland, announcing that their coronation would hold on Sunday, August 27, 2017, at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
According to the state government, the development was in line with the provisions of the recently amended 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related chieftaincies in Ibadanland, as well as the government’s White Paper.
The provisions were conveyed in Government Gazette No. 14, Notice 27, Vol. 42, dated August 23, 2017, and Gazette No. 15, Notice 28, Vol. 42, dated August 24, 2017.
The government further stated that Governor Abiola Ajimobi exercised the powers conferred on him under Section 28(i), Cap. 1, Volume 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and the amended 1959 Declaration.
Presenting the letters at the House of Chiefs, the Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, said eight High Chiefs had been elevated to the status of Obas and would henceforth be addressed as “His Royal Majesty”, while 13 Baales were elevated to “His Royal Highness”.
He added that nine vacant Baale stools were not conferred on individuals, but their positions had been recognised as Obaships.
Those elevated from High Chief to Oba status were High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland; High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland; High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Tajudeen A. Ajibola, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Dr. Kolawole Adegbola, Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland; High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland; and High Chief S. Amidu Ajibade, Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Mr. Alli explained that the eight chiefs would now be addressed as Royal Majesties, while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, would remain the Imperial Majesty.
He stressed that the development did not disrupt or amend the traditional Olubadan chieftaincy ascendancy system or structure.
The chiefs elevated to the status of His Royal Highness included Chief Lasisi Akano, Onijaye of Ijaye; Chief Ismaila Olasunkanmi, Oniroko of Iroko; Chief Moses Olasunkanmi, Onikereku of Ikereku; Chief Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo, Baale Olodo; Chief Victor Sunday Okunola, Elegbeda of Egbeda; Alhaji Wahab Olabamiji Okedina, Baale Okelade-Okin; Chief Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas, Alakufo of Akufo; Chief Gbolagade Muritala Babalola, Onido of Ido; Chief Dauda Omotoso, Baale Awotan; Chief Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo, Baale of Abanla; and Chief James Oladipo Obisesan, Baale Akanran.
Speaking on behalf of the newly elevated Obas, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, thanked the Oyo State Government and Governor Abiola Ajimobi for what he described as responding to the call of the people to review the 1959 Olubadan chieftaincy declaration.
Oba Balogun described the development as God-ordained and expressed appreciation for the steps taken by the state government in reforming the traditional institution.
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