The newly coronated Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, has assured that he would not let down the people of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general.
The monarch made the pledge in his first public speech shortly after Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to him as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Speaking after receiving the staff, the Olubadan thanked the governor for the gesture, saying: “I want to assure all that I will not let the people of Ibadan down. I will not let the people of Nigeria down.”
The traditional ruler thanked all the eminent personalities, including the traditional rulers, serving and former governors and National Assembly members present for honouring him with their presence.
Makinde presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to Oba Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland at exactly 12.30 p.m.
The governor in his address, urged the monarch to remain steadfast as the gatekeeper of Ibadan traditional system.
He also urged the traditional rulers, as custodians of the traditional system, not to play politics with the system.
He said that no politician, no matter how highly placed, could destroy any system without the cooperation of members of the system.
Makinde implored Balogun and the Olubadan-in-Council to work toward ensuring that the laws, having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan, remain sacrosanct.
He advised the Olubadan-in- Council to be self-conceived and remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class, if there was going to be any amendment in the laws.
The governor further said that he had always taken a stand for the integrity of traditional systems.
“And so, I am especially delighted that today, Friday, March 11, the sanctity of the emergence of this century-old dynasty, has been restored.
“His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, Okumade II, has distinguished himself as an excellent professional.
“He has without doubt contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.
“He has served both in private and public service and has even represented Oyo State at the Senate.
“He is indeed a man of many parts and so, we rejoice that His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okumade II, climbed the 22 steps on the Olubadan line, starting from the lowest rung of Jagun Olubadan over a period of 39 years.
“We rejoice because His Imperial Majesty, having seen how things were, when politics became a factor in the ascension to the throne, is in a great position to defend the traditions of our people and ensure that this does not happen again.
“And, I want to restate that though, we politicians will come and go, sometimes, to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.
“But, this is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand preventing us from tinkering with the age-old traditional systems.
“So, I join the Oyo State Government, sons and daughters of Ibadan and good people of Oyo State to wish the Imperial Majesty a peaceful and successful reign,” Makinde said.
