The coronation of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland is currently underway at the iconic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Earlier in the day, Oba Ladoja was formally decorated with Akoko leaves by Oluwo Afobaje Labosinde at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, in a significant traditional rite marking his ascension.
Oba Ladoja, adorned in a white Agbada and traditional beads, arrived at the Labosinde Compound in a white Rolls-Royce.
He was accompanied by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Ibadan war chiefs, Oloris, as well as members of his immediate and extended family.
The decoration ceremony was preceded by the symbolic opening of a calabash, a customary part of the coronation rites.
Following this, the new monarch proceeded to the Osemeji shrine, located directly opposite the Labosinde Compound, to continue with other traditional rites.
After completing the rituals at Labosinde, Oba Ladoja is expected to move to Mapo Hall for the formal crowning ceremony.
Dignitaries expected at the coronation include President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, along with other prominent political figures, business leaders, and traditional rulers from across Nigeria.
