The Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, will host masqueraders of the ancient town at the family compound at Ita ‘Bale Olugbode today (Monday).
The yearly egungun festival, a celebration of Ibadan custom and tradition, held between June and July, is usually heralded with a visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan land.
This year, the Olubadan-designate would be on hand to receive the masqueraders at his family compound.
A source at the Ita’Bale family compound said arrangements had been made to welcome the Olubadan-designate and other Ibadan Obas to celebrate the masqueraders.
“We will give the Olubadan-designate a rousing welcome. Thank God that Governor Seyi Makinde has approved Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land. While we await the coronation day, Baba will be here at the family compound to celebrate the Egungun festival with us,” a source who preferred anonymity said.
‘I’m fit to rule,’ says Olubadan-designate
When asked if the masqueraders would visit the Olubadan at the Alalubosa Estate residence or the family compound at Ita’Bale, he said the visit would be at the family compound and the Olubadan-designate would be present to receive his guests.
The Olubadan is expected to offer prayers and receive gifts at the ceremony.
The PUNCH reports that Governor Seyi Makinde approved Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, “in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.”
Following the approval, the traditional ruler is expected to go into seclusion, after the state government might have announced the date of his coronation at a ceremony to be held at Mapo Hall, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
