Ibadan celebrates as Adetunji is crowned 41st olubadan of Ibadan

Forty-six days after the demise of the last Olubadan of Ibadan,Oba Samuel Odulana,his successor Oba  Saliu Akanmu Adetunji ,ascended the throne yesterday and immediately tabled a list of his demands before the government.

Oba Adetunji who adopted the title of   Aje Ogunguniso 1 pleaded for the creation of Ibadan State  and the upgrading of the Ibadan airport to international status.


Time was 1.30pm and savouring  the speeches,singing   and dancing that characterized the ceremony were  Also in attendance were  the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Zulu Gambari ;and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu,top politicians of all shades,religious leaders,eminent businessmen and women.

Rochas Okorocha (Imo),Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun),Rauf Aregbesola (Osun),Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos).

 Ibadan indigenes and residents also swarmed the Mapo Hall  venue of the event to witness the coronation of the successful music promoter.

As early as 7:30 am, all routes leading to the hilltop venue were already crowded with people struggling to beat security barriers before the official commencement of the programme.

 The crowning of the king of  the  city highly rated for its massive  size and central  role in the socio-political and economic life of  Nigeria and the Southwest in particular could not have been otherwise.

Presenting the certificate and staff of office to the new monarch,Gov. Ajimobi revelled in the uniqueness of the event, stressing that it was the first time a governor of Ibadan origin would crown an Olubadan.

He also pointed out that it was the first time the son of a tailor would be crowning another tailor as the Olubadan.

Ajimobi’s father was a tailor while tailoring was also Oba Adetunji’s early profession before venturing into music promotion in 1954.

The governor promised to overhaul the chieftaincy law of Ibadanland to ensure speedy completion of appointment procedures and also insulate  high chiefs from partisan politics since  they serve as fathers to  all.

 The governor urged the new monarch to be fair to  everyone  in his dealings.