Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has declared that he is not interested in being the Olubadan of Yorubaland or that of Oyo State.
The foremost Ibadan traditional ruler added that his area of jurisdiction does not extend beyond 11 local government areas of Oyo State, with about four million residing there.
Oba Ladoja further said his area sphere of influence was clearly stated in the Oyo State Chiefs Law and Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.
He made the declaration while speaking at a Coronation Luncheon, organised on Sunday, to celebrate his ascension to the throne.
The event, organised by the Ibadan Foundation, was held at the Kakanfo Hotel, Ring Road, Ibadan.
As contained in a release by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, Oba Ladoja stated that he has a lot of work to keep him busy, rather than to bother himself with what he is not.
Olubadan told an impressive crowd of Ibadan heavyweights, including Asiwaju Bode Amao, Chief Bayo Oyero, Otun Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola and the Iyalode Group, that he has a clear-cut idea of how he wanted to manage the challenges facing Ibadan.
“When people were protesting about the Circular Road, my house was their first port of call. And I briefed His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde about it.
“We are confronted with land-grabbing challenges. This was why we set up anti-land-grabbing committee. We are awaiting their report.
“But I want to hint you that land reform is underway. When we notice security breaches anywhere within our area of jurisdiction we know who to call; we know who to hold responsible.
“We set up the Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee to recommend to us how to revive so many industries that have been closed down for years in Ibadan. We want them to re-open for business to generate employment opportunities for our able-bodied youths.
“We have inherited legacies of bravery, nobility, hard work, enviable record from our forefathers. This doesn’t mean we should resign ourselves to fate,” he said.
Oba Ladoja further said: “When the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo Oodua on our illustrious son, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, many traditional rulers, not just from Ibadan, but from Oyo State attended in solidarity.
“We didn’t know that one of our illustrious daughters, Chief Mrs Latinwo was going to be installed Yeye Bobagunwa Oodua.”
