The installation and coronation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd monarch of the ancient brown-roof city of Ibadan was a grand event marked by tradition, language and celebration.
The three-phased event began at Agbole Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde, where Oba Olakulehin performed various kingly rituals. These included paying homage to Ibadan indigenes by prostrating, opening a calabash, and receiving the kingly leaf.
These acts signaled his acceptance as the paramount ruler of Ibadan, with residents and subjects alike paying homage and praying for the king.
Olúbàdàn mò̩gúnrìn àtàáró̩.
Ọmọọbá tí nìgbàgbò̩, tí gbogbo ayé ń bò̩ wò̩.
O̩lúkú só̩kàndà, omo ajoye só̩yè̩.
Ajé é̩ rí wò̩ mí ni yó̩ kó̩ báyé mi, ẹni yó̩ ń fojú pa arúgbó̩ lẹ̩hìn.
Ọmọọba alágogo mé̩tàdínlógún.
O̩mo adá ni tò̩ní ò̩nà.
Ọmọọbá Olúyò̩lé tí n sọlú gẹ́gẹ́ bí mo̩gúnrìn.
Kábíyèsí, adé ò̩rò̩ ìlú Ìbàdàn.
Olúbàdàn, ẹni tí kò sẹ́ni tó lè fọ́ ilé è̩.
Aṣé̩jù ni ọmọọba n se kàkà kí ó ní ológun.
Ọlákùnlé, aríkọ́rìí.
Ọba àtààtà, alásè è̩dá àti è̩dá.
O̩ba tí í se ò̩tò̩, tó fi ò̩kàn bọ àtààrí.
Tí ìbò̩mìràn bá rí, kí ó máa gbò̩n mọ̩kan ò̩pó̩.
O̩ba mé̩tàdínláàdọ̩rin, ẹni tó gbé è̩yàn lé̩rù.
Kábíyèsí ọba ò̩tá ló̩gbó̩n, ẹni tó ń fi ọgbọ́n yanjú gbogbo ò̩nà.
Agbó̩n rẹ kò níì tán láàye.
Olúbàdàn ò̩tá ò̩kan nílé olúyò̩lé.
Kábíyèsí, ohun tó bá ń fọ gbà ń la.
Ẹni tí ń bọdè ọjó̩ ni tálúbí.
Ọba gbogbo è̩yàn, alákúnlé báyé̩gbẹ.
The second phase of the coronation saw Oba Olakulehin, donned in a white agbada, proceed to Ile Ose Meji. This location is where essential rituals are performed before the crowning of any Ibadan monarch. It was here that Oba Olakulehin was crowned.
The final phase of the coronation took place at the historic Mapo Hall, where Governor Seyi Makinde presented the staff of office to the new king, symbolizing his authority. Governor Makinde promised to support the king and expressed optimism that Oba Olakulehin’s reign would bring peace and prosperity to Ibadan and the wider Pacesetter State.
He also called on the monarch’s subjects and Ibadan indigenes to support the king with prayers.
In his remarks, Oba Olakulehin thanked the state government and the people of Ibadan for their support and vowed to lead the city wisely.
The event was attended by top government functionaries from across Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, and the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. High-profile monarchs such as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto were also in attendance.
Storyline – Dayo Olujobi
