It was a mixed reaction yesterday at Ibadan the Oyo state capital as the Oyo State Governor; Abiola Ajimobi installed and presented staffs of office to 21 new kings in Ibadan land.
The installation ceremony which was held at the famous Mapo Hall in Ibadan yesterday happened without the presence of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The governor during the event said he had nothing against Oba Saliu Adetunji, who was not at the ceremony, adding that the appointment of the new kings followed due process.
According to governor Ajimobi thenceforth, the Olubadan would be addressed as His Imperial Majesty, while members of the Olubadan–in-Council, who were also elevated to kingship status, would be addressed as your royal majesties and the newly promoted Baales would be addressed as your royal highnesses.
Members of the Olubadan-in-Council, who were newly elevated to rank of Kingship were the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadan land, Eddy Oyewole, the Balogun of Ibadan land, Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Osi Balogun of Ibadan land, Tajudeen Ajibola, the Asipa Balogun of Ibadan land, Latifu Adebimpe, the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadan land, Dr Kolawole Adegbola, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Amidu Ajibade. While the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land, Rashidi Ladoja, did not show up at the ceremony.
The elevated baales are the Onijaye of Ijaye, Oba Lasisi Akano; the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Ismaila Opeola; the Onikereku of Ikereku, Oba Moses Akinyosoye; the Ololodo of Olodo, Oba Mudasiru Adebayo, and the Elegbeda of Egbeda, Oba Victor Sunday Okunola.
Others include the Onido of Ido, Oba Gbolagade Babalola, Alakufo of Akufo, Oba Olabamiji Thomas, the Oloke of Okelade-Okin, Oba Wahab Okedina, the Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Omotoso, Olofa of Offa, Oba Adeboye Salako, the Onilagun of Lagun, Oba Rafiu Alawusa, the Alaba of Aba-Nla, Oba Tiamiyu Ladipo, and the Alakanran of Akanran, Oba James Obisesan.
