I had the privilege of being a guest at the Alalubosa GRA private residence of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Ige Olakulehin I yesterday, 12 July 2024. I joined the reception programme late but early enough to witness the grand arrival of His Imperial Majesty after the installation/ Coronation activities at Mapo Hall.
My invitation was at the instance of an old classmate at Ibadan City Academy who is a family member of Baba Olubadan, Mr Aderemi Nasiru. Members of my Ibadan City Academy Old Students’ Association 1983 Set turned out in large number. Mr Aderemi Nasiru whilst inviting us gladly informed us it was Baba Olubadan who took responsibility for his training when we were in school. It was indeed an honour for us to honour our colleague with our presence. Some other classmates who visited Aderemi Nasiru when we were in school recalled how they were served with fresh bread from Baba’s bakery at Felele in the early 1980s on every occasion.
It is gratifying that the new Aafin Olubadan (Olubadan Palace) was commissioned earlier in the installatìon week. In effect, Ibadan has just one and only official palace that we know right now. Oba Olakulehin will be the first Olubadan to rule and reign from the new palace.
The idea of ruling from one’s private house or the traditional family compound may not be tolerated again though one cannot rule out an Olubadan retiring to his private residence occasionally.
With an official palace, Ibadan City and its local governments do not have to commit huge resources to upgrade or renovate the family compound or private residence of a new Olubadan.
There is another significance of the existence of an official palace at this particular time. It would have been a legal quagmire for the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland to be located within Alalubosa GRA on a property on lease from the Oyo State Government. Grantees of State lands (including lands within GRAs) are tenants of the State Government obliged to pay ground rents and other fees to their landlord, the State Government. The new Olubadan Palace has come at the right time and Ibadan has been saved from could be said to be an ignominy.
Many have expressed concerns about the maintenance of the new Olubadan Palace. This should be the joint responsibility of the 11 Local Governments in Ibadanland and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and its affiliate bodies. It may be desirable to establish a Foundation to take care of this. Tourists and visitors to designated sections of the palace should also be made to pay a token for the maintenance of the palace.
It appears the Olubadan Palace has the trappings of a State House with officers appointed to handle some aspects of its activities. I heard an announcement by the Chaplain to the Palace. Invariably, there will be an Imam. Maintaining a reasonable retinue of palace officials requires serious consideration because of its financial implications. There are templates in use in other palaces within and outside Nigeria that may be helpful. It is therefore imperative to run the new Olubadan Palace as a going concern.
Congratulations to Oba Akinloye Owolabi Ige Olakulehin I, the new Olubadan of Ibadanland! K’ade pe l’ori, ki bata pe l’ese!
Congratulations to the sons and daughters of Ibadan!
Congratulations to Ibadanland!