By Isaac Kertyo
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has handed the staff of office to Oba Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan.
This was during the new monarch’s coronation ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The ceremony was graced by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar.
Other dignitaries in attendance were Gov Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Deputy Governor of Osun, Benedict Alabi and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Also at the event were the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; and Ambassador of Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jiauchun.
Oba Yusuf Adeleye, the Olubaka of Okaland in Ondo State; Oluwo of Iwoland; the Ikere of Saki, Aseyin of Iseyin, former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan, Chief Rasidi Ladoja and a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro were also present.
The ceremony was officially declared open at exactly 11.14am with the recitation of the National Anthem, Oyo State Anthem as well as Ibadan Anthem.
The opening prayers were said by Christians, Muslims and the traditional prayer by the Araba Awo of Ibadanland.
Also, Moshood Ayanyemi, Atookowagbowo led other Ibadan drummers to welcome the guests and well-wishers to the occasion in a traditional way.
However, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was ushered into the venue at exactly 11.50am, after which all the traditional chiefs, Mogajis, religious leaders, leaders of various associations in Ibadanland paid homage to Oba Balogun.
