By Segun Showunmi,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) is rallying influential indigenes of Ibadanland to support the planned weeklong celebration of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Ladoja’s coronation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland is billed for Friday next week.
Recall that the President-General of CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, recently inaugurated a committee headed by two of the city’s billionaire businessmen, Engr. Dotun Sanusi and Chief Adegboye Adegoke, to Co-Chairman a committee for the celebration.
The state government had earlier inaugurated Chief Bayo Oyero-Committee to work out plans for the September 26 coronation of Oba Ladoja in line with its tradition of funding the coronation of first class traditional rulers in the state.
But CCII on its own believed that unlike the previous Olubadans, the Olubadan-designate, being a successful billionaire businessman, former senator, former governor and elder statesman, deserves a better celebration.
CCII therefore inaugurated the committee with some frontline Ibadan sons donating N10 million each for the celebration.
The committee inaugurated by CCII however picked seven other days apart from the day chosen by government, to make the celebration a weeklong event.
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Not only that, these influential individuals have facilitated live broadcast of the coronation with Arise, Channels and TVC television stations as well as Solution FM and Ilaji FM, among other frontline radio stations, to beam and air the event live.
Part of the weeklong programme, according to Comrade Demola Babalola and Alhaji Kunle Junaid who are co-chairmen of the Local Organising Committee in charge of Media/Publicity Subcommittee, is the Monday’s September 22 inter-religious prayers at the Olubadan Palace, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.
There will also be a stage play on the progenitor of Kabiyesi Arusa at the Apex Hall, Yidi Agodi area; Tuesday’s Cultural Day holding at the Olubadan Stadium; a first Olubadan coronation lecture to be delivered by a renown Ibadan-born globally acknowledged historian, Prof. Toyin Falola, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
On Thursday, Oba Ladoja will clock 81years with special programmes for the day, including Islamic prayers at the Olubadan palace at 10am and mega praise and worship at the civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, beginning from 2pm.
Friday is the coronation day at Mapo Hall from 9am while the reception organised by the monarch and his family holds at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium from 3pm.
Later on Sunday, September 28, a thanksgiving service will hold at the Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, while a grand civic reception will follow at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan by 2pm.
On Friday October 3, there will be a Jumat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba and later on Saturday October 4, the traditional worshippers (Isese) will converge at Ose Meji Temple Oja’ba.
