With the death of Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lateef Oyelade, 15 vacancies now exist in the Otun line of the Olubadan Chieftaincy system. REPORTERS AT LARGE can report.
The Ibadan chieftaincy system is unique because it has two lines of succession: Otun (civil) and Balogun (military).
In addition to hundreds of Mogajis jostling to enter the Jagun line, the entry point to the lines, 15 chiefs will change their titles.
Queuing behind the deceased senior chiefs were Agba-Akin, Aare Alasa, Ikolaba, Asaaju, Ayingun, Aare Ago, Lagunna, Oota, Aare Egbe Omo, Gbonnka, Aare Onibon, Bada, Ajia and Jagun.
REPORTERS AT LARGE can authoritatively report that prominent among the senior chiefs to be promoted are Yekinni Adeojo, Ismail Akinade Fijabi, Saka Fola Lapade, Teslim Folarin, Muibi Ademola Adewuyi, Rauf Yesufu Delesolu, Ahmed Olatunji Lanihun, Dauda Kolawole Gbadamosi, William Oyeleke Akande, Oluyinka Akande, Taofeek Ogunwale, Wasiu Aderoju Alaadorin, Muyiwa Makinde and Abiola Iyiola who was the last mogaji to be elevated to Jagun.
Founder of Shafaudeen, Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP, and other Mogajis are to compete for Jagunship,
Though the Olubadan has the final say on who enters the Jagun line from among the Mogajis, many believe Prof. Olagoke should be considered.
Olagoke, whose antecedents in the religion and education sectors cannot be forgotten quickly, is the mogaji of Ogun-Elu, Aare Alasa dynasty of Ibadan South East local government.
His philanthropic gesture has earned him accolades from within and far. Recall that the Central Council of Ibadan Indedegenes CCII recently conferred on him their highest honour during the immediate past Olubadan, Ọba Saliu Adetunji’s reign.
Apart from being a cleric, Prof. Olagoke has positively impacted the lives of Nigerian youths both at home and internationally through his career as a lecturer, most especially in Ibadan Indigenes, which has earned him several awards and recognition both in Nigeria and abroad.
Prof. Olagoke has produced many engineers and scholars who are spread around the world.
There are many other notable mogajis who, in the coming days, will start jostling.
The promotion and installation are usually done 21 days after the demise of a chief.