Ladoja, ten other high chiefs of Ibadan promoted to the position of Oba by Makinde.

Eleven Ibadan High Chiefs have been promoted to beaded crown obas with the approval of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The Governor recently signed the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill into law, which sought to give him discretion to gift beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state, following its adoption by the state House of Assembly.

The High Chiefs are Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye; Ekarun Olubadan; Bayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

The governor has approved the promotion, according to a knowledgeable government source who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday. The high chiefs will be formally installed as traditional rulers on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Further information revealed that the governor’s acceptance followed the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who serves as the prescribed and consenting authority, recommending it.

The source said, “This elevation would have come earlier before now. Even before the administration of the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi. Ajimobi had a good intention on this elevation but the approach was wrong. Why would you just wake up one day and do something of such nature in just three days or thereabouts.

 “You will be shocked when you see some Obas from other places who are not even up to High Chief in Ibadanland in a public place with a large entourage. But sometimes, our High Chiefs are regarded as mere chiefs. So, it’s a good decision and the governor has given his consent on that. They will be officially crowned on Friday, July 7, 2023 as stipulated in a letter sent to the governor by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun.”