By Soji Ajibola
Senator, Dr. Moshood Olalekan Balogun, has been officially installed as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, after 33 years of ascendancy protocols.
The installation followed the unique method of selecting the traditional rulers in Ibadanland.
Oba Balogun who became Mogaji of Aliwo family in Ibadan North East Local, Government Area, ascended the throne when he was presented with a Staff and Instrument of Office by the State Governor, Engineer, Seyi Makinde at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan on Friday.
Presenting the Staff and Instrument Of Office before the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who led other dignitaries, Makinde said the presentation was done in accordance with the Oyo State Chieftaincy laws.
His words: “by the power confer on me as the Executive governor of Oyo State, under the Oyo State Traditional Law, I hereby present the Staff of Office to the 42nd Olubadan of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Moshood Isola Olalekan Balogun”.
Governor Makinde admonished the traditional rulers to know their roles in sustaining peace in the country and however, urged them not to be involved in partisan politics, adding that they should leave politics for politicians and concentrate on the governance of their subjects.
In his remark, the newly crowned Olubadan could not hide his feelings, as he insisted that he would deliver his inaugural address while standing.
“Let me stand up, after all, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde performed the presentation while standing. I thank you very much for the presentation of Staff of Office. I thank you all, especially Baba Alaafin and other traditional rulers in attendance. Thank you once again.
“I am assuring you that I will not let the people of Ibadan and Nigeria down. Once again, I welcome you all to the Capital city of Africa”. He said.
In his speech, the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, conveyed the message of President Muhammadu Buhari to the newly installed monarch and prayed for his long life and peaceful reign.
He said the ancient city of Ibadan has a record of many first(s) with the first University in Africa, first television station in Africa, WNTV, home of first Football club, IICC to win continental trophy and the first tallest building in west Africa, Cocoa House.According to Osinbajo, Ibadan is a home to notable politicians in the country, in the likes of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and host of others.
He, thereby, urged the newly crowned king to bring to bear his wealth of experience as a University scholar, lawmaker, politician and seasoned administrator in the governance of his subjects.
Oba Balogun was born into the royal family of Aliwo on 18th October 1942. He attended CAC Secondary Modern School now Oba Akinyele, Anlugbua and proceeded to Rapid Result collegeuniv, United Kingdom and Brunel University in 1963.
He was a research fellow at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Head of Recruitment, British Petroleum Company and ventured into politics in 1983.
Dignitaries in attendance were the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Ekiti State governor and Chairman Nigeria Governors forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, his Ogun state counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, Kano State Governor, Abdulahi Ganduje, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Deputy Governor of the State, former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu.
Others are; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Primate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Sunday Makinde and Orangun of Oke ila, Oba Abolarinwa.
