It was praises all the way as the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, recently marks his 90th birthday
For a revered monarch to mark a milestone is not a one-off affair especially for a paramount ruler of one of the country’s dominant ethnic groups. It was no doubt a huge celebration when eminent personalities from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji when he marked his 90 birthday recently.
They include first-class monarchs, political leaders, market men and women, government officials, traditional groups, associations and social clubs among others. In fact, the weeklong celebration was full of pomp.
The Olubadan was praised by representatives of different groups for his sterling leadership qualities and immense contributions to the development of humanity and Ibadan land.
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| L-R: The Celebrant, the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olugbo of Ugboland, Obaa Obateru Akinruntan and Aare Musulim of Yorubaland, Chief Daud Akinola during the birthday celebration. |
Prayers were offered at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan, with the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Alhaji Abdul-GaniyuAgbotomokekere, leading other clerics to seek more blessings for the monarch and the state.
The Osi Olubadan of Ibadan and one-time Governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, described the Olubadan as a loving and amiable father.
The state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, prayed to God to give the eminent monarch longevity on the throne.
Also the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Yemi Soladoye described Oba Adetunji as a unique ruler and prayed God to give him good health and many more years in the service to humanity.
On the chieftaincy tradition of Ibadan, he said: “We have no ruling house, no sacred crown, no complicated Ifaoracle choice and no slave family in a city of warriors.”
The spokesperson of the authentic Mogajis, Chief Wale Oladoja described the Olubadan as a unique and loving father who passionately cares for his subjects.
The Olubadan was born on August 26, 1928, at Adetunji compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, to the family of Olayiwola and Alhaja Suwebat Adetunji. My father was a tailor. I am the first born of my parents’ 17 children. His father had five wives and his mother was the first.
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| L-R: Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, Chairman, Planning Committee for the birthday celebration, Professor Taoheed Adedoja and Engineer Seyi Makinde during the event. |
Oba Adetunji is the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland. He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Babalaje Music and believed to be the one who discovered musician “K1 the Ultimate.”
A rich list of dignitaries at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, members of the Council of Lagos Traditional Chiefs, led by Oba Onikoro, Oba Adesoji, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan and the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.
Others are: former Kano State Governor Dr Rabiu Kwankwanso, who was represented by Dr Muktar Umar and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Mechanised Division of the Army, Major-General Chukwudili Azinta, who was represented by Brigadier-General Soyele.
Members of Oyo State Executive Council, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, a legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Bayo Adelabu; All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joseph Tegbe, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church, (Nigeria), Sunday Ola Makinde and Justice L. O. Aransi also attended the event.
Also present were members of the Ibadan socio-cultural groups, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and Ibadan Elders Council (IEC), led by CCII President General, Chief Yemi Soladoye and Ambassador Olu Sanu.
