By Stella Obi
Planning Committee for the first coronation anniversary of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade 11, has unveiled programme of events to mark the monarch’s one year on the throne.
Oba Balogun , who is the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland ascended the throne on March 11, 2022.
The Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee is headed by Prof Oladapo Afolabi, a former Head of Service of the federation.
Members of the committee set up to oversee the planning for anniversary include, Prof Soji Adejumo, Chief Gani Kola Balogun and Mr Dele Ogunsola.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday on the activities to mark the event, the planning committee said the delay in celebrating the first anniversary behind schedule was caused by the last general election and other factors.
Speaking on behalf of the planning committee during the event, Mr Dele Ogunsola, who is the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, said that the coronation anniversary celebrations will commence on Thursday, with a symposium titled Ibadan: Treasure of the Last Empire and Challenges Of Urban Development, to be delivered by Mogaji (Professor) Aderemi Raji-Oyelade , and end on Sunday which is the final day, with a thanksgiving service to be held at The Cathedral of St. James The Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan.
Other activities for the anniversary include conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on three illustrious sons of the land, namely, Prof. Soji Adejumo, Barr. Bolaji Ayorinde and Alhaji Adebayo Aruna after which special Jumat service holds at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba, while the reception party holds the following day, Saturday at the Jogor Centre, Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Way, Oke-Ado.
The committee also mentioned some of the achievements of the Ibadan first class monarch in the last one year.
“In the last one year, kabiyesi has brought honours to Ibadanland as the first Olubadan in history to become a university chancellor.
“This is by his appointment as the Chancellor of Sa’datu Rimi University of Education in far-away Kano State.
He is also the second Olubadan to receive a national honour of Commander of the Order of Federal Republic (CFR).
“The recent elevation of the members of Olubadan Advisory Council, hitherto addressed as high chiefs, to beaded crown-wearing obas as royal majesties was another of kabiyesi’s firsts in Ibadan history,” Ogunsola said.
He also said the intervention of Oba Balogun in maintaining peace in Ibadanland in the last one year has been very noticeable.
Olubadan, however, appealed to Ibadan sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora that have the wherewithall to come up with concerted efforts towards reducing the unemployment rate, bearing in mind that government alone cannot solve the problem, adding that it is also one solid way to reduce criminal activities.
