Ibadan Agog as Rashidi Ladoja Prepares for Coronation as 44th Olubadan

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, is alive with excitement as preparations reach their peak for the installation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the weeklong programme leading to the coronation will climax with the grand ceremony at Mapo Hall.

Ladoja, who turned 81 on Thursday, is a businessman, former senator, and ex-governor of Oyo State. He rose through the traditional Olubadan Chieftaincy hierarchy before being nominated to succeed Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7, just two days after his 90th birthday.

Governor Seyi Makinde, currently returning from his annual vacation, is expected to present the Staff of Office to Oba Ladoja during the ceremony at the historic venue.

Excitement is already palpable across the city. Major roads such as Iwo Road, Mokola, Ring Road, Challenge, Sango, Eleyele, Molete, Apata, Akala Road, Akobo, and Bashorun are lined with billboards bearing Ladoja’s photographs and congratulatory messages from groups, corporate bodies, and individuals. Convoys of dignitaries and well-wishers have also begun arriving.

To ensure smooth movement, officers of the State Road Traffic Management Authority have been deployed to major junctions, while police and other security agencies have been strategically positioned across the city.

Preparations also include the reopening of the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan on Wednesday, ahead of the expected arrival of President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and other top dignitaries on Friday.

According to the Organising Committee, chaired by Chief Bayo Oyero, markets in Ibadan will be closed on Friday during the coronation. Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command announced that some adjoining roads leading to Mapo Hall will be shut to motorists, with alternative routes advised to ease traffic flow.

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