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Olubadan Ladoja pledges to serve all Ibadan residents equally.
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He was presented staff of office by Governor Makinde on Friday.
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Clergy describe his enthronement as divine providence for Ibadan’s unity.
The newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has assured residents of the ancient city that his reign will serve all, irrespective of social class or religious affiliation.
The monarch gave the assurance on Sunday during a thanksgiving service held at the Church of the Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan, in honour of his coronation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Oba Ladoja, who pledged to dedicate his reign to the growth and unity of Ibadan, described his role as a collective leadership with the support of the Olubadan-in-Council and the people.
“We are all governing Ibadan. I’m just the coordinator. You people are the small Olubadan; I’m the big Olubadan. Ibadan will be great by God’s grace with your support. I’m now king of all religions. Ibadan is a fertile land; it shall continue to be well with Ibadan,” he declared.
The monarch stressed that the progress of Ibadanland under his reign would not be a personal achievement but a collective success.
Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, was formally presented with the staff and instrument of office on Friday by Governor Seyi Makinde at the historic Mapo Hall. The colourful coronation was attended by President Bola Tinubu and other dignitaries across Nigeria.
He succeeded the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, who passed away on July 7, 2025, at the age of 90, after barely a year on the throne.
At the thanksgiving service, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, described Oba Ladoja’s ascension as an act of divine providence.
“Oba Ladoja’s longevity is a crown of grace, and his enthronement is a divine mandate entrusted to the peace, unity, and progress of the Ibadan people,” Abegunrin said, as he prayed for the monarch to be granted wisdom, strength, and guidance to rule with justice and compassion.
