Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has approved Friday, 11 March 2022 as the date of installation of High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The approval is contained in a circular issued from the Office of the State Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The approved date is contained in the circular with Ref No: CB 211/10/155 and dated 22 February 2022, which was addressed to Senator Lekan Balogun and a copy sent to the Executive Chairman, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area.
Titled “Installation Ceremony: Olubadan Of Ibadan”, the correspondence to the Olubadan-elect announcing the date was in reference to an earlier letter from him as regards the issue of installation.
“I wish to refer to a letter No.IBSELG.243/17 of 16th February 2022 on the above subject and inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State has approved Friday, 11th of March, 2022 as the date of the Installation of the New Olubadan of Ibadan.
“Once again, Congratulations, Kabiyesi,” the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, B. A. Olanrewaju PhD, stated in the two-paragraph circular.
Recalled that the throne of the Olubadan of Ibadanland became vacant following the death of the last occupant, the late Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso I, on January 2.
Senator Lekan Balogun became automatically qualified as the Olubadan-designate by virtue of his position being the Otun Olubadan, the next high chief in the hierarchy of the Ibadan Traditional Council.
After some initial legal hiccups, members of the Olubadan-In-Council formally submitted the name of Senator Lekan Balogun as the successor to the throne, in accordance with the succession system operational in the ancient city.
Governor Seyi Makinde thereafter announced, Monday, last week, the name of Senator Balogun as the Olubadan-designate, saying his decision was in line with the existing Ibadan traditional system.
