Ibadan Ilu Ibukun Oluwa!
If there’s no perfect human being, there can’t be any perfect event organized by human beings. The coronation ceremony organised for our revered Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, was not perfect, but the imperfection did not take away the grandness and grace of the event.
The coronation event that took place yesterday at Mapo was as unique as the Ibadan chieftaincy system itself. For the first time, Ibadan had a coronation event celebrated with pomp, pageantry, and fanfare across the nook and cranny of Ibadan. From the main roads from Mapo to Molete, to inner streets of Popoyemoja, Iyana Asuni, Isale Osi, to Gege and Foko, to Agbogbon and Oranyan, it was a festive carnivals in all compounds in Ibadan as the people identified with their new king and celebrated him to high heavens.
In my Anlamole family compound at Isale-Ijebu, the story was not different as foods and drinks were in abundance while the members of my family danced joyously to the occasion.
Mapo had never seen such a mammoth crowd it had seen yesterday. Different Aso-Oke and Ankara fabrics were worn by various groups with assorted caps to complete the dressing. Banners and Canopies lined sides of the roads in front of each family compound as people joyously entertained themselves, wining, dining and dancing.
A coronation reception took place at Liberty Stadium, where Abass Obesere was on the bandstand, serenading guests with musical delicacies. Foods and drinks were in surplus supply as guests ate and drank to their fill and still took home. Celebrations are still ongoing as there’s going to be another civic reception at the UI International Conference Centre on Sunday, tomorrow. We are in a season of royal celebrations in Ibadan!
Ibadan lived up to her pedigree as the home of firsts and uniquenesses with the unsurpassed coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1. May his reign bring growth, development, and prosperity to Ibadanland, Oyo state, and Nigeria. I pray for a long life and excellent health for our new monarch. Ami ati Ase!
Our joy was full yesterday!
Oloye Abiola Iyiola
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