pannigeriannews 
By Olawoyin Edris Busayo
It is no longer news that the much-awaited coronation of Oba Sen. Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland was held on the 26th of September, 2025, at the ancient Mapo, Ibadan, but it would be a great disservice if I didn’t x-ray what I saw throughout the event day.
On my way to Mapo, I tried to pass through Joyce B Road and burst out to Oke Ado Market, then proceeded to Itamaya. I asked the bike man to drop me since there was no road to pass.
From Itamaya down to Gege to Born Photo Junction, there are canopies everywhere with different DJs rocking the young and old with nice songs.
When I looked right, it was Amala; when I looked left, it was Semo; and in front of me were different drinks. It is a long canopy to the Oja Oba.
When I got to Mapo everywhere had already been populated with well-wishers both outside and inside Mapo.
The soldiers, civil defense, DSS, police, and other paramilitaries are fully in charge to ensure orderliness. I trekked down to Beere to see what is happening, alas! The crowds is immeasurable. When I found it stressful to navigate the crowd while coming back, I tried to pass “Koro Agbole” to find my way to “Orita Merin,” where a long, gigantic canopy was mounted to accommodate special groups in Ibadan.
As I was walking through the canopies, I saw different drummers entertaining people seated. Down to Ayeye Market link road, it is fun.
When I had experienced all the fun here, I then proceeded to the main stage, where everyone was struggling to enter, but my tag gave me the privilege to access the stage without any harassment, even from the Presidential Villa Securities.
At this stage is where the movers and shakers of Nigeria are seated. Taye Currency was busy entertaining both the guests and well-wishers facing the stage, who are majorly his fans. Boom! I heard “te yan ba fe gba ise mi, a ma ja oo, were la fi n wo were, were la fi n wo were” and majority of people there started dancing.
I saw many philanthropists of note with their beautiful wives in their elegant dresses befitting royal events.
I saw how media maintained their positioning for the coverage of the event, but my focus was on Baba Tunde Kelani, a cinematographer of note, a brain behind a widely celebrated Oleku and Saworoide film documentary, The Mainframe. Baba wore a branded, clothes inscribed with “LADOJA CAMERA”.
When you begin to wonder what that means, I will tell you it means wherever Kabiyesi goes, Tunde Kelani’s camera follows. Truly, it was because only BCOS and Tunde Kelani got a premium strategic position to cover Kabiyesi.
Another side attraction was the statue of an old traditional chief rolling like a barber’s chair. If they tell you it is Cake, you will hardly believe it . Then comes the time President Tinubu was about to arrive in Mapo; the soldiers and DSS were seriously busy screening everyone on the stage. At this stage all the unaccredited were asked to leave the stage. As this was going on, there was a heavy breeze that blew up all the standing billboards on the road where the president will pass.
The soldiers, DSS, and other paramilitary officers had to quickly rush to the road to clear it. This appears to me that nature is beyond protocol . After 5 minutes of this exercise, the president arrived in the company of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Of course, you cannot say the President came late to an event, and on this premise the long protocol was skipped by the Governor after greeting the president, traditional rulers, and federal might, then moved straight to the presentation of the staff of office to Kabiyesi Oba Ladoja.
Taye Currency, in his usual style, used a proverbial song to invite Kabiyesi by saying, “Ladoja, fun ra ara re ni o dide, fun ra re ni o dide, a ki n fi ise igbon se ran omo eni, fun ra ara re ni o dide.
Then comes the remark of Kabiyesi. The highlight of his remark centered on the creation of Ibadan State before the expiration of the first term of President Tinubu.
Then comes the remark of the president. Tinubu described the event as an honor to witness, noting that Ladoja’s journey reflected perseverance and reliability. According to him, “It’s my prayer that you will live long and be celebrated as one of the rare gems of history to ascend the throne of your forefathers”. Tinubu also praised the new Olubadan’s resilience during political struggles, recalling their shared history at the Senate and during his impeachment battle as the governor of Oyo”.
He further said, “today, I am honored and proud to give you cheering news that the economy has turned the corner. Growth and prosperity now await us,” Tinubu declared.
Tinubu also thanked Ibadan residents for their support during the 2023 elections, adding that when he was driven down from the event, he “felt the joy of homecoming. The cheers and excitement showed in the people’s faces.”
Then I moved to Liberty Stadium for the reception. It was when I got to the stadium that it dawned on me that the event had been divided into two. Haha! those people didn’t even bother to experience Mapo affairs.
The place was just rocking as if Kabiyesi had been with them since morning.
Different companies came loaded with their fully branded stands and products. I lost count of the canopies inside the stadium. Different canopies for each Oloris.
Just mention the food you want, then you get it. Suya, barbeque here and there. Guinness, Nigeria Brewery do wonders. Kabiyesi was never tired as he started greeting guests when he arrived at the reception after 6pm.
It was indeed a historical coronation.
I wish Kabiyesi a long life filled with abundant blessings and prosperity.
Igba yin atu wa lara oo.
Kabiyesi ooo.
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