The nominated 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Monday, said he would soon be crowned now that he has come back to his ancestral home town, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Ladoja, who disclosed this while addressing journalists at his Ondo Street private residence in Ibadan, had earlier warned all the miscreants in Ibadanland to be agents of peace or vacate the ancient city completely.
He gave this warning at his Family compound in Isale-Osi, in the Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state, during his visit to the community.
Prayers were offered in the area as he said he began his journey to the exalted stool of Olubadan from his Family compound.
It was reported that Ladoja made his first public appearance on Monday, since the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, joined his ancestors on Monday, 7 July 2025.
Addressing the gathering at his private residence, Ladoja said, ‘I was out of the town when the late monarch joined his ancestors. May God grant him eternal rest. When I learnt that he died, I was so sad, and it pained me so much because I was telling myself that I’m not ready for the kingship. I thought the late monarch, Oba Olakulehin, would spend or reign for up to five to ten years.
‘But we thank God for sparing our lives. I started this journey on 1 October, 1993. So, I went to pray where I started the journey. When I got there, I still remember many of those who were on the ground then. MKO Abiola came, he was the President-elect.
‘Many of my friends who were there when I started this journey are no more. May God grant them eternal rest. This means I’ve not implemented or completed the work God wanted me to do. May God give us wisdom, long life and peace of mind to implement it’.
He added, ‘I also thank God for counting me worthy to be the next Olubadan of Ibadanland. I also thank the Olubadan-In-Council for nominating and approving me to become Olubadan. If they didn’t approve it, what would I do?
‘By His grace, very soon the government will announce the day we will be crowned now that I’m back. Those whom we are supposed to be talking to, we will be talking to. Oluwo, Araba, and Governor Seyi Makinde, we will all be talking. I pray for peace in this land, there won’t be sufferness again in this town’, he prayed.
At Isale-Osi, Ladoja warned those miscreants who are fond of fomenting troubles and disrupting the peace of residents of Ibadanland, especially in communities like Born-Photo, Asaka, Foko and other areas in the ancient city, to turn over a new leaf or leave Ibadanland completely.
He maintained that Ibadan would remain peaceful for more development to thrive, hence, he would not condone thuggery and other social vices in the city.
Ladoja, who was flanked by his wives, moved in a motorcade from Isale Osi through Oja-Oba, Beere, Oje, Gate to his Bodija residence, where hundreds of people were waiting to welcome him.
