According to report by Daily Post on Friday, September 26, 2025, Mapo Hall witnessed history on Friday as Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja was officially crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The ceremony drew dignitaries from across Nigeria, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom the new monarch warmly acknowledged in his inaugural address.
Oba Ladoja, in his speech, described Tinubu as a friend and expressed delight at his connection to Ibadan through his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu. He praised the First Lady as the President’s “pillar,” noting that even if Tinubu does not hail directly from the ancient city, his personal bond with it remains significant.
The Olubadan stressed Ibadan’s importance as a cultural and symbolic anchor of the Yoruba people. He declared that the city is not just another urban center but a shared heritage and identity for all Yoruba. According to him, any Yoruba person who does not have a home in Ibadan is missing an essential part of their roots.
“I greet the President, my good friend, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You are welcome. If you are not from Ibadan, you met Remi in Ibadan and I am happy she is your pillar. I am happy that Ibadan is the home for all Yoruba,” he said.
Beyond his message to the President, Oba Ladoja commended the leadership of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and recognized the efforts of Ibadan indigenes in advancing the city and the state at large. He promised a reign anchored on unity, tradition, and progress, urging Yoruba people everywhere to see Ibadan as a unifying symbol of their shared identity.
The coronation set the stage for Oba Ladoja’s reign, which he framed as a call to preserve tradition while embracing development, ensuring that Ibadan continues to stand tall as a cultural beacon for the Yoruba nation.
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