Makinde Installs Ladoja as 44th Olubadan, Presents Staff of Office

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has officially presented the Staff of Office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. This ceremony formally recognizes Oba Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Governor Makinde made the presentation at Mapo Hall on Friday, the venue of the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.

The new Olubadan, had earlier been decorated with Akoko leaves as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, Ibadan, by the Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde.

Oba Ladoja was confirmed as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland following nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council at its meeting held at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan on Monday, August 4.

The nomination Ladoja followed the demise of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died on July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 after spending barely on year on the throne.

READ MORE:

• Osun 2026: Defections No Threat to APC Victory – Oyintiloye
• Court Declares National Assembly’s N110b,  SUV, Allowance Schemes Unlawful
• NDLEA Seizes Major Opioid Shipments in Taraba, Apprehends 75-Year-Old Suspect in Ebonyi
• How I Returned From the Gate of the Other World (Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4): Readers’ Comments (II)
• Police Successfully Rescue Adelabu’s Sister, Two Children

Recall that Makinde cut short his annual leave on Thursday to personally attend Oba Ladoja’s coronation.

The event had in attendance wife of Oyo State Governor, Engr (Mrs) Tamunomini Makinde; the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke; Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji.

Also present were former Governors of Ogun State, Senators Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun; former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Governors of Kano State, Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankaso and Ibrahim Shekarau; former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and a wife of the former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja.

Oyo State Government functionaries, who attended the event include the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Debo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazim Adeniyi; members of Oyo State House of Assembly, Commissioners, Special Advisers and chairmen of Local Governments from Ibadan.

Notable royal fathers from all parts of the country, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, among many others, also graced the event.

Also in attendance were the Forum of Former Governor’s Wives in Nigeria (2003-2007), service commanders and religious leaders, among others.