The ceremony to mark the final burial of late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, will be held on Saturday 12, 2022.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in the state, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, hinted the Oyo Governor’s Office Correspondents.
Recall that the late monarch joined his ancestors on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93 after 5 years of reign.
Meanwhile, the special committee set up by Oyo State government to oversee the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso 1) has assured residents of Ibadan and guests that will attend the ceremony that adequate security of lives and properties will be in place.
The committee, which was headed by the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Bayo Lawal was inaugurated on Monday 24th, January 2022 and has among members, political appointees, top government officials, representatives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU) and family members of the late Olubadan.
Its major mandate, according to the Committee Chairman in a Press Release made available to newsmen on Wednesday, was to ensure a grand and befitting ceremony for the burial of the late monarch, which necessitated the involvement of all segments of the society in the planning.
The committee said that Saturday 12th February, 2022 be set aside as a Day of Tributes to celebrate the late Olubadan at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium at Oke Ado in Ibadan, starting from ten in the morning.
Other activities lined up for the day include prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased by Christian, Muslim and traditional religious leaders, after which there will be traditional eulogies, tributes by selected personalities and groups.
There will be a documentary on the life and times of the late Olubadan to detail the views of the deceased on Ibadan traditional Chieftaincy law among other interesting issues.
Hon. Lawal added that “a strict crowd-control mechanism would be in place to ensure security of lives and properties, only guests with access cards will be allowed into the main venue of the event, starting by ten in the morning.
“Let me at this juncture assure all guests, visitors and friends that will be attending, that adequate security is guaranteed before, during and after the event, all security agencies in the State have been alerted and mobilized, including the men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA), so as you have an effective and free flow traffic around the venue and adjoining roads within the Oke Ado and Ring Road/ Liberty Road axis.
“It is therefore pertinent warn trouble makers ad people that do not have anything doing at the event to stay away, as security agents will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone who conduct themselves in manners that are likely to cause breach of peace and order.”
Bayo Lawal used the medium to invite great sons and daughters of Ibadanland within Nigeria and in diaspora to join hands with the State government to ensure a befitting burial is accorded the late monarch.
While appreciating the State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for giving the committee the needed support and wherewithal to accomplish success of the burial, the Committee Chairman enjoined members of the media industry to accord the event the needed publicity.
