Eze Ndigbo mourns Olubadan, praises Ibadan’s succession system

The Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Yorubaland, James Oramadike, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, the people of Ibadan, and the entire family of the 43rd Olubadan, the late Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

PUNCH Online reports that Oba Olakulehin joined his ancestors last Monday, at the age of 90, and a few days before his first coronation anniversary.

Oramadike, in a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday, described the late Olubadan as a symbol of unity and strength, whose leadership and wisdom would be deeply missed.

“The passing of Oba Olakulehin is a significant loss to the people of Ibadan, and I pray that God grants his family and loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.

Oramadike also commended the well-established system of ascension to the stool of Olubadan, between the Otun Line and the Balogun Line, on a rotational basis.

He noted, “The system has thrown up the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, as the next Olubadan, being the most senior king on the Otun Line, which will produce the successor to the late Oba Olakulehin.”

The Eze Ndi Igbo, therefore, appealed to other kingdoms in Nigeria to evolve systems that would make succession to the thrones rancour-free like the system in Ibadan.

Oramadike acknowledged the role that Ladoja played during his time as governor of the state between Ibadan and the Igbo community, as well as other non-indigenes residents in Ibadanland.

He promised continued support and cooperation of the Igbo community towards the progress of Ibadanland.

Source:- Punch