By Soji Ajibola
The week-long coronation ceremony for the enthronement of Senator Moshood Olalekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan will climax on Friday with the presentation of the staff of office to the Olubadan designate.
The ceremony, commenced on Monday with the performance of traditional rites will be rounded up at the famous Mapo Town Hall in Ibadan South East Local Government Area.
The lights of Nigerian politics, business, monarchy etc. will be around to witness the event. The cast of heavweights, whkch be led by Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, include the President of the Nigerian senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, the Speakerof the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi and others.
Already, Ibadan, one of Africa’s largest cities is buzzing with excitement ahead of the formal presentation of the staff of office to Senator Balogun by the Governor of Oyo State. Engineer Seyi Makinde.
As market leaders in Ibadan order the closure of all the markets in local and urban areas of the city in honour of the new Olubadan, residents from the eleven local government areas that made up the metropolis have been mobilized to attend the historic event.
In addition to the market men and women, who have primed themselves for the occasion, representatives of traditional organizations including Oodua Peoples Congress, the Agbekoyas, the Vigilante groups, will be appearing in different attires to add glamour to the event.
Meanwhile, traditional drummers have shifted base to the Aliwo Family House of the Olubadan designate where visitors are being treated to various Yoruba songs.
Senator Balogun, the man at the centre of the activities will be leaving Ipebi for Mapo Hall. where the government has tightened security, before returning to his Aliwo Family House.