By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
Former governor of old Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo has advocated reformation of the Ibadan chieftaincy tradition to meet up with the 21st century impending challenges.
Dr Olunloyo stated this at a Symposium organised as part of the final burial ceremonies for Late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade held at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
The former governor who was the Special Guest of Honour at the lecture, declared that the Ibadan Chieftaincy succession system though unique needs reformation through reduction in the number of steps in each of the two family lines to ensure quick ascension to the throne.
According to the former governor, there were some lapses in the proclamation and laws on the Ibadan chieftaincy lines especially in the area of where the Seriki lines was fraudulently elongated and increase the steps in the chieftaincy line.
Speaking further, Dr Olunloyo urged the Olubadan-in-Council to formally present the Olubadan designate, the Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, for coronation as the successor to the late monarch saying, “Saliu Adetunji has fulfilled all the conditions. It is for the Olubadan-in-Council to formally present him”.
He pointed out that presently, the race to the Olubadan throne “is between the Otun Olubadan and Balogun Lines”, adding that it was glaring that the succession race to the Olubadan throne “is full of obstacles as per the amended Chiefs Law of Oyo State”.
Also, a veteran journalist and former Editor of Daily Times, Chief Areoye Oyebola, in his lecture titled “Ibadan Chieftaincy Tradition: Imperatives for Reform”, called for the need for nomination of young, educated and successful people to ascend to the Olubadan line to replace the present gerontocratic nature of the Olubadan throne.
“We have to be realistic, we must have a new idea of who becomes Mogaji, there are over 200 Mogajis presently, the Olubadan in Council can find a way of reducing them, by compensating some of them as advisers to the Olubadan” he said.
Chief Oyebola then stressed the need for a review of the progression system to the Olubadan throne in which younger people would be favoured to mount the throne.
Professor Bolanle Awe while speaking described the Late Olubadan as a distinguish man and good example of what Ibadan man represents, called for total reformation of the system to meet up with the present day realities.
Chairman of the occasion and personal physician to the late Olubadan, Emeritus Professor Olu Akinkugbe said the Late Olubadan was a rare gem who excelled in all facets of life before he ascended to the throne of his forefathers in 2007, adding that the late Monarch was someone who has played remarkable roles in the development of Ibadan and the nation in general.
