Olubadan: OYSG declares public holiday… no corporate organization mandated or branded as sponsors of coronation…. all markets in Ibadanland closed

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By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
Oyo State Government has declared  today (Friday, 4th March), as a public holiday in the state to commemorate the coronation of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Also, the Oyo State Market Leaders Advisory Council has directed that all markets in Ibadanland be shut today in honour of the coronation ceremony of the new Olubadan.
The government in a three paragraph statement issued and signed by Mr. Soji Eniade, Head of Service  urged all civil and public servants in the state, market men and women, artisans and other members of the public to massively turn out at the venue of the ceremony to witness the epoch making event
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved that Friday, 4th March, 2016 be declared a public holiday in the State. The holiday is given to commemorate the coronation of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji who would be installed at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on the same day
“His Excellency, the governor has therefore urged all civil/public servants in the state, market men and women, artisans and other members of the public to massively turn out at the venue of the ceremony by 9.00am on the day to witness the great and epoch making event”, the statement reads in part
The government while calling for peaceful conduct by members of the public before, during and after the coronation ceremony, also alerted that no corporate organizations is sponsoring today’s coronation of Oba Saliu Adetunji as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan land.
Addressing journalists, the Special Adviser to  Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Communication and Strategy, Mr Yomi Layinka  declared as misleading and untrue claims by some corporate organization that they are sponsoring the coronation
Mr Layinka stressed that the coronation committee headed by the Otun Olubadan, Dr. Lekan Balogun, comprising of representatives from the Olubadan-in-Council; Iyalode line and Olubadan designate’s younger brother, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji, “is the only recognized body vested with the preparation for the coronation”.
The Special Adviser who heads the Media sub-committee for the coronation, declared that top government officials, led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismael Olalekan Alli, are also on the committee, adding that, as at yesterday, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, which is responsible for giving approvals for hoardings, had not received any application from any corporate organisation to display hoardings in any part of the city in respect of the coronation.
He then warned that law enforcement agencies have been put on the alert to look out for such illegal display of hoardings under the guise of sponsorship of the coronation.
“We need to make a categorical statement that no organization is mandated or authorized to be branded as sponsors of the Olubadan inauguration ceremony. No sponsor has been accredited to manage or brand the event surrounding the coronation ceremony of Olubadan of Ibadan scheduled for the March 4, 2016,”he said.
Mr Layinka added that “we understand that a purported advisory group to the Olubadan designate has been soliciting supports and collaborating with some individuals to raise funds and seek branding and marketing opportunities surrounding the event.
“It should be noted that there is no such accreditation from the recognized coronation committee led by High Chief Lekan Balogun and other High Chiefs and government representatives. But, the committee will still be willing to do business with them if they follow due process.”
According to the acting President of the Council, Alhaja Mopelade Iyadunni, the closure of the markets was to accord due honour to the monarch, who succeeds Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I. The late monarch had joined his ancestors on January 19.
Alhaja Iyadunni then urged members of all affiliate associations to join the state government, the Adetunji family, the Olubadan-in-Council, as well as citizens of Ibadan to celebrate the new Oba today at the Mapo Hall arcade.

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