Today, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin officially ascends to the throne as the Olubadan of Ibadan land. In this piece, LAOLU AFOLABI highlights the monarch’s humble beginnings, his journey to the throne, the unique nature of the Ibadan non-ruling house chieftaincy, and the symbolic coronation ceremony that coincides with the new monarch’s christening date
On July 5, 1935, a charming boy was born in the serene Okugbaja Village, located near Akanran in what is now the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The joyous occasion was celebrated by his proud parents, Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi. Following the rich and time-honoured Yoruba tradition, the family waited until the eighth day after his birth to officially bestow upon him his name. In a ceremony held within the family compound on July 12, he was given the name Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin. The name, rich with cultural significance and family heritage, marked the beginning of his journey in life.
Today, another July 12 and the 89th anniversary of his christening, the boy once known as Baby Olakulehin is set to ascend to one of the highest traditional titles in Yoruba land. In a grand ceremony that will take place at the historic Mapo Hall, he will be enthroned as the Olubadan of Ibadanland. This significant event will see him don the prestigious beaded crown, symbolising his new status and authority. With this ascension, he will be officially titled His Imperial Majesty, marking a momentous occasion not only for him and his family but also for the entire community that holds the Olubadan title in high esteem.
The coronation will be witnessed by the crème-de-la-crème and the influential personalities in the country and beyond, as against the family compound naming ceremony held 89 years ago. Dignitaries led by President Bola Tinubu, governors, ministers, eminent traditional rulers, captains of industries, and academics, among others, will witness the coronation of the 43rd Olubadan in history, at the historic Mapo Hall, built in 1929, six years before the birth of the new Ibadan monarch. Today, on another christening anniversary, Olakulehin will lift the banner of his ancestors, being the first from his lineage to become the Olubadan. He has chosen to bear the name of the family, Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1.
As a mark of honour for this historic christening, the Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, ordered markets in Ibadanland to be shut today, between 7 am and 2 pm, in honour of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland. To demonstrate that it was beyond the family compound christening, the Babaloja said the closure of the markets is to give honour to the first class Oba and allow free flow of traffic. It then asked all market traders and leaders to move en masse to Mapo Hall, the venue of the presentation of the instrument of office to the new monarch.
Another honour for the new Olubadan of Ibadanland is that he would be the second Olubadan to rule from a befitting palace, after the famous Olubadan Yesufu Oloyede Asanike, who first lived in the old palace at Oja’ba. The ultramodern historic palace sitting magnificently on Oke-Aremo, inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday, is to be the new official residence and palace of subsequent Olubadans, starting with Oba Olakulehin. Hitherto, the personal residence of the succeeding Olubadan had always served as the palace, upon ascension to the throne.
Oba Olakulehin’s coronation is a significant blessing to Ita-Baale Olugbode, his ancestral homestead within the ancient city of Ibadan. This momentous event revives a historic lineage, as the last ruler from Ita-Baale was Baale Ajayi Oyesile Olugbode, who reigned from 1851 to 1864. The name “Ita-Baale” literally means the courtyard of the ruler, derived after the title of Baale Olugbode. It is noteworthy that since the title “Olubadan” was officially created in 1930, the Ita-Baale Olugbode area had not produced an Olubadan until now. The community holds a special place in the history of Ibadan, not only for its ancestral significance as a conglomeration of families in Ibadan but also for its religious heritage. It is renowned for being where Olubadan Akinyele established his church, the Christ Apostolic Church Olugbode. This church remains a prominent landmark, reflecting the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural heritage of the community. With Oba Olakulehin ascending the throne, Ita-Baale Olugbode is poised to regain its historical prominence, celebrating a new chapter in its rich legacy and contributing to the enduring story of Ibadan’s traditional leadership.
Oba Olakulehin is a royalty personified. Both parents are from the established Ibadan recognised chieftaincy families. His maternal lineage derives from the Kusidi Family whose ancestral farmland is in Kusidi Village in Egbeda Local Government Area. Their ancestral homestead is within the ancient metropolis of Ibadan at Ile Kusidi in Elekuro.
Every Ibadan family is rooted in a dual heritage comprising both an ancestral farmland and an ancestral homestead. This tradition signifies that every Ibadan indigene has a village and a family compound within the city. For the members of the Olakulehin family, their ancestral village, where a Baale (village head) presides, is located at Okugbaja, within the Akanran area. Their ancestral homestead, however, is situated at Ita-Baale Olugbode, which holds profound significance as the place where Oba Olakulehin began his journey towards becoming the Olubadan, starting as Mogaji (family head) of the Ige Olakulehin family.
In the societal structure of Ibadan, the position of Mogaji is held in high esteem and is considered senior to that of the Baale. The Baale is an appointee of the Mogaji, underscoring the authority and respect commanded by the family head. This hierarchical distinction highlights the Mogaji’s pivotal role in both the governance of the family and the broader community. For Oba Olakulehin, his ascent to the Olubadan throne is deeply intertwined with these familial and cultural traditions. His leadership journey commenced as Mogaji of the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode.
A Mogaji will begin the journey to become the Olubadan the day he becomes Jagun Olubadan or Jagun Balogun, depending on where the vacancy exists. There are two lines to the Olubadan, the Otun line (civil) and the Balogun line (warrior). The Otun line has 22 steps to climb to become the Olubadan while the Balogun line has 23 rungs to the zenith. To emerge as Jagun on either line is a Herculean task and very competitive. It is a battle royale for all family heads contesting for a space.
For Olubadan Olakulehin, he became the Mogaji for the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, in 1983. He was installed as the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land by Oba Asanike in 1986. He then rose through the ladder and was elevated in 2006 to the Olubadan-In-Council, under Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, the 38th Olubadan of Ibadan. In 2016, Oba Olakulehin became the Balogun of Ibadanland, following the promotion of Oba Saliu Adetunji to the throne of the Olubadan. Olakulehin served as Balogun of Ibadanland for eight years.
A member of the Olubadan-in-Council qualifies to serve as the head of the traditional council in various local government areas across Ibadan. Royalty begins as any chief of the Olubadan becomes the High Chief, following the emergence at the Ekaarun Olubadan or Ekaarun Balogun rungs of the ladders. The council comprises the Olubadan, Otun Olubadan, Balogun, Otun Balogun, Osi Olubadan, Osi Balogun, Ashipa Olubadan, Ashipa Balogun, Ekerin Olubadan, Ekerin Balogun, Ekarun Olubadan, Ekarun Balogun and the Iyalode. Aside from the Olubadan and the Iyalode, the other 11 members are to serve as heads of traditional councils in the 11 local government areas of Ibadanland. The Iyalode is the head of all women’s affairs in the land.
For Oba Olakulehin, it was a journey of 38 years from Jagun Balogun – Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare Egbe Omo-Oota – Lagunna – Aare Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare Alasa – Agba Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekaarun Balogun – Ekeerin Balogun – Ashipa Balogun – Osi Balogun – Otun Balogun, Balogun and finally to the zenith of the ladder, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He successfully stepped on each rung of the ladder until he got to the zenith.
Today, Oba Olakulehin has a date with history as he tours the Oluwo Labosinde Compound at Oja’ba, Ibadan, where he will perform traditional rites and the Ose Meji Shrine, where he will be crowned as the new Olubadan of Ibadan land, before the presentation of staff of office and instrument of office to him by Makinde at the Mapo Hall.
To Oba Olakulehin, today’s event affirms the question he asked when he became Mogaji in 1986. He spoke briefly with journalists on June 14, 2024, when he went on an inspection visit to the ultramodern Olubadan Palace, from where he will rule today. He said, “When we started the ladder (Mogaji), I asked, ‘Do we get to the climax?’ And they said yes. So, I knew that I would become Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now we are there.”
From a small beginning, Olakulehin started his primary school education in the village at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran. He subsequently moved to Ibadan where he attended Islamic School, Odoiye. He later went to St Peter Primary School, Aremo, where he concluded his primary education. Shortly after graduating from primary school, Olakulehin taught as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan, before he gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute for his secondary school education with vocational study in printing and artwork. Upon graduation, he worked at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan from 1959, starting as a third-class clerk. While working, he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to study and obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.
Olakulehin was recruited in 1970 through the Direct Short Service Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant after he transferred his service to the Nigerian Army Corp of Engineers. He served the Army in Benin and Sapele under General Olusegun Obasanjo as his commanding officer. Oba Olakulehin later served in various positions and locations across the country. He rose through the ranks to the position of Major. As an officer, he held various positions. These included the Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna and Lagos. He retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Army as a Major on October 1, 1979, after a remarkable 25-year career in military service.
Upon disengagement from the military service, Olakulehin founded and incorporated FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a building contracting company which undertook various contracts for private individuals, corporations and the government, including the Nigerian Army. He also engaged in various enterprising endeavours. These include the ownership and operation of a successful printing press (Olakulehin Press, later renamed Solid Prints); the establishment of FAKOL Bakery, which was very famous for the production, distribution and supply of Fakol Loaves, Pastries and other pioneering confectionaries within the city of Ibadan.
He made a foray into politics. Olakulehin was a founding member of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State during the Third Republic. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992, the same period the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Rashidi Yekini, became Senator. Olakulehin represented Ibadan South East Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee of the Nigerian Army.
Today, Oba Olakulehin opens a new vista in the traditional institution of Ibadanland. The journey, though predictable for each stage, was, however, not smooth. He emerged as the Olubadan-designate following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 14, 2024. His emergence came with controversies over his health, due to old age. As a statesman, he made no statement condemning anyone or the government. He bore no grudges. He was focused, and determined. He made exceptional appearances when necessary to ward off rumours. The waiting periods are over. Here comes Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Ige Olakulehin 1. Long Live the King!
Culled from the PUNCH NEWSPAPER
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