The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, announced that everything is ready for the coronation of the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Oba Adebimpe made this announcement while talking to journalists shortly after members of the Olubadan-In-Council visited the next Olubadan at his private residence at No 1, Cassia Street, Alalubosa Government Reserved Area in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The PUNCH reports that Oba Olakulehin made his first public appearance on Friday since the death of the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and passed away at the age of 81.
Also present at the meeting were the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; and Asipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola.
Oba Adebimpe mentioned that Oba Olakulehin is healthy and in good spirits, and added, “The Olubadan-In-Council would not have nominated Olakulehin as the Olubadan unless we were certain of his well-being.
“It's been quite a while since we've seen our Kabiyesi Olakulehin among us. We have been making arrangements for Olakulehin’s coronation, who is our new Olubadan of Ibadanland. We are grateful that he is in good health, and soon, he will ascend the throne of his forefathers. We will convey what we observed here to our colleagues.”
According to Ibadan chieftaincy protocol, for Olakulehin to become Olubadan, he must be nominated by the next person to him in his lineage, Otun Balogun Tajudeen Ajibola, at a meeting called by the most senior chief in the other lineage within 21 days of the death of the last monarch.
In the meantime, the family of the next paramount ruler has started distributing clothes for the coronation.
Our reporter noticed that clothes were given to the family members and interested members of the public during the visit to his private residence.
