Sen. Lekan Balogun will be crowned as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land on March 11, it was gathered on Tuesday.
According to relianble sources, Oyo State Governor, Engr.Seyi Makinde, has approved the crowning ceremony to take place on March 11.
Meanwhile, Ibadan indigenes have been called upon to wait till the new Olubadan takes staff of office officially before their desires in the new dispensation could be attended to.
Balogun of Ibadan land, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, made the call while responding to the requests made by the Association of Mogajis of Ibadan land at the Alarere residence of Olubadan designate, Dr. Lekan Balogun.
The Mogajis were at the new Olubadan’s residence to felicitate with Balogun on his emergence during which they made some requests towards the growth, progress and development of Ibadan land.
Olakulehin, who lauded the Mogajis for their forward-looking initiatives and their commitment to Ibadan cause said members of the Olubadan-in-Council were earnestly waiting for the inauguration of Balogun, stressing that “not until that is done, there is nothing official we can do.”
“We are becoming weary as you all know that long expectation wearies the heart. Our expectation after our visit to the Governor’s Office last Thursday was that the issue of inauguration of our new monarch would be discussed yesterday (Monday), but, here we are, we don’t know what’s going on.
“Those among you that have the governor’s ears can whisper to him that Ibadans are waiting, the whole world is awaiting the new Olubadan and we his Council members are eagerly waiting for the big event,” Olakulehin added.
In the letters presented to the new Olubadan and which were signed by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade (Coordinator); Mogaji Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori (President, Association of Mogajis of Ibadan land) and President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Prince Yemisi Adeaga, said Balogun possesses ability to make appropriate chieftaincy reformations that would make Ibadan a shinning example.
The Mogajis informed the Olubadan designate and his Council members of their concern about youth restiveness in Ibadan metropolis, culminating in the breach of peace and for which they had in partnership with other stakeholders founded Ibadan Compounds Peace and Security Initiatives.
They described the initiative as their responsive and dutiful responsibility to Ibadan land under the authority of Olubadan, saying: “We show a serious commitment in ensuring unity among the people and sustain a peaceful and violent-free environment, most especially among our youths within the city of Ibadan.”
As a way of preventing miscreants from gaining entrance into Ibadan traditional system, the Mogajis requested that they be given the power and authority to conduct background check on whoever is being considered for appointment as a chief, be it traditional or honorary.
They commended the Olubadan and his Council members for the decision to make appointment of chiefs less financial inducing, with a prayer that God would grant the new Olubadan long life filled with robust and sound health.
