The newly crowned 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has made a bold appeal to President Bola Tinubu, asking him to approve the creation of Ibadan State from the present Oyo State.
The monarch made the call on Friday, September 26, shortly after he received the Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan.
Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, revealed that his people had given him a clear message to deliver to the president.
“My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority,” the Olubadan declared during his coronation speech.
The monarch urged Tinubu to make the new state a reality before the end of his current tenure.
According to him, the creation of Ibadan State would not only reflect the will of the people but also drive economic growth and expand opportunities for the youth.
He further pledged to prioritize youth employment, urban renewal, and the preservation of Ibadan’s cultural heritage during his reign.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who officially presented the Staff of Office, praised Oba Ladoja’s ascension as a significant moment for the ancient city.
“It is a great honour to join in celebrating the coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adewolu Ladoja, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Makinde said.
He added that Ibadan has every reason to be proud of its succession process, describing it as orderly and free from disputes.
“The succession process to the throne of Olubadan is now well established and free from contestation, and this is a source of pride for us all,” Makinde noted.
“It is my prayer that the reign of Oba Adewolu Ladoja will usher in lasting peace, unity, and greater progress for Ibadanland and for Oyo State as a whole.”
The call for the creation of Ibadan State has been long-standing.
Proponents argue that Ibadan, being Nigeria’s largest city by landmass and population in the southwest, deserves to be recognized as a state on its own.
With Oba Ladoja now on the throne, the agitation is expected to gain fresh momentum, especially given his political experience as a former governor and senator.
