By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Ibadan, Nigeria — September 26, 2025
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, entrepreneur and youth advocate, was among the prominent personalities who graced the historic coronation of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Ajadi, accompanied by his entourage and escorted by security officers, made a dignified entry into the Mopo Hall where the epoch-making event was held. The atmosphere was filled with colour, tradition, and a sense of renewal for the ancient city.
Speaking with journalists after the coronation, Ajadi described the ceremony as a moment of pride not only for Ibadan indigenes but also for Nigerians at large.
“Today is not just about Ibadan; it is about our shared heritage as Yoruba people and Nigerians. Oba Rashidi Ladoja’s ascension is a blessing, and I believe his reign will bring unity, development, and peace to Ibadanland,” Ajadi said.
He emphasized the importance of cultural institutions in fostering unity and national identity at a time when Nigeria faces social and political challenges.
“Our traditional institutions remain vital pillars of stability. When you see the kind of turnout today—the calibre of dignitaries, the ordinary people, the young and the old—it shows that monarchy still holds a special place in our hearts,” he added.
Ajadi, who has often been vocal about youth inclusion in governance, also linked the event to the younger generation’s role in preserving cultural values.
“It is important that young people learn from days like this. Respecting tradition does not mean we cannot embrace modernity. Rather, it shows us that progress must have roots. The Olubadan throne has stood the test of time because it is deeply rooted in justice, merit, and culture,” he remarked.
The Merit Newspaper reports that the coronation, which drew dignitaries including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, traditional rulers, and international envoys, underscored Ibadan’s significance as the political and cultural heart of Yorubaland.
Ajadi expressed optimism that Oba Ladoja’s reign would open a new chapter for Ibadan’s development, particularly in infrastructure, youth empowerment, and peacebuilding.
“I pray Kabiyesi’s reign will attract prosperity to Ibadan and by extension, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. We must all rally around him, irrespective of our backgrounds or affiliations,” he said.
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The coronation marked a historic transition in Ibadan’s traditional hierarchy, one that Ajadi described as “a divine arrangement and a model of peaceful succession worthy of emulation.”
