The governor of Oyo state, ‘Seyi Makinde has presented the staff of office to the new Olubadan, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun Ali Okunmade II as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Presenting the Staff of Office to the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Governor Seyi Makinde prayed for a peaceful and prosperous reign and urged the Olubadan to be a Father to all.
The coronation ceremony which started on Monday with traditional rites will be rounded off today, March 11, at the ancient Mapo Town Hall in Ibadan South-East local government area, with many dignitaries present.
Many dignitaries from the Southwest attended the event and among those in attendance include the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; former governor of Oyo state, Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja; former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Femi Pedro; Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and a host of others.
Meanwhile, residents from the 11 local government areas that make up the Ibadan metropolis were mobilised to attend the historic event.
Also, various market leaders in Ibadan have ordered the closure of all the markets in local and urban areas of the city in honour of the new Olubadan.
Aside from the closure of the various markets, market men and women as well as representatives of traditional organisations including Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Agbekoyas and vigilante groups, appeared in different attires to add glamour to the event.
Speaking for the first time as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun thanked Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Makinde, Ooni of Ife and other dignitaries present at the occasion.