Pomp as Olubadan celebrates 100 years birthday
As the curtain was formally drawn on the week-long 100 years Birthday Celebration of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, yesterday (Saturday) with the conferment of honorary chieftaincy titles on three distinguished Nigerians: namely the Senate President, Senator David Mark; the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and United States-based notable scholar and international historian, Professor Toyin Falola, needless repeating the obvious that Oba Odulana has made another landmark history.
Oba Odulana Odugade who ascended the throne as the 40th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, 17th August, 2007, has been known in many circles as a monarch with a difference in several ways. Aside of the fact that he is one of the oldest royal father to have reigned over his people, the Kabiyesi has the singular honour to have celebrated the Centenary on the throne. Hence, the pomp and pageantry that greeted the celebration.
The list of dignitaries who stormed Ibadan for the Olubadan’s Centenary Birthday was endless starting from the Number One citizen of the country, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan with his arrays of cabinet Ministers as well as the host State Governor, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who was also accompanied by some fellow State Governors and virtually the entire Commissioners in the state. The celebration was also graced by crème de la crème of the society including industrialists, technocrats, etc.
President Jonathan who stormed Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amidst tight security on Tuesday to rejoice with the Olubadan, described the royal father as a man of impeccable character, whose tenure has been peaceful. The highly elated President led the team in singing a Happy Birthday song in honour of the Olubadan.
He arrived Ibadan at exactly 3.15 p.m. in a Presidential aircraft marked NAF 5N FGT was accompanied by the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who were conveyed in another jet marked NAF 5N-FGV which landed a few minutes earlier at 2.55pm. Also on the President’s entourage was Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr Reuben Abati, the Presidential spokeman.
Speaking during the visit, the President declared “Oba Odulana is a man of impeccable character, whose tenure has witnessed peace and tranquility. To reach 100 years in life is a blessing.” He congratulated the monarch just as he wished him more peaceful years in prosperity.
The Oyo State Governor, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who led dignitaries in welcoming the visiting President to Ibadan, thereafter drove in a long convoy of motorcades to the Olubadan’s private residence located along Iwo Road where the dignitaries paid the centenary birthday homage to the royal father. Others who were at the Ibadan Airport to receive the President included Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of State for FCT; Members of the State Executive Council; former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State, former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, Mr. Yinka Taiwo, the state chairman of the PDP and a host of other prominent politicians.
Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State, while speaking at the church service attributed the Olubadan’s noticeable longevity to his “pure heart that is devoid of hatred to his fellow man.”According to him, Oba Odulana harboured no hatred or bitterness against anyone and asked the present generation of Nigerians to learn a critical lesson from his life.
“Those who knew him, even pre-his ascendancy to the throne, speak eloquently about a man who typifies honour and nobility. In the Olubadan is a demonstration of the elusive concept of Omoluabi. The Omoluabi, for the purpose of clarification, is that man who carries nobility, human goodness and trust around him like a pouch. With Kabiyesi, you know where you stand as he does not suffer fools gladly. In him you find the discipline of a trained soldier, the consummate nobility of a gentleman and the astuteness of a man of honour. His own politics transcended the type found on the streets today. As a fitting demonstration of his acknowledgement of our effort in this regard, Kabiyesi bestowed on me the traditional title of Atunluse of Ibadanland, the remodeler/ beautifier of Ibadan land.,” he said.
The Anglican Diocesan Archbishop who presided at the thanksgiving service, Most Revd. Segun Okubadejo, had earlier in a thought-provoking sermon described the event as “a unique Birthday anniversary in view of insecurity and high mortality rate in the country.” The cleric enjoined the celebrant to re-dedicate his life to praises to God Almighty who has been gracious to him.
One of the High Chiefs of Ibadanland and member of the Olubadan in Council, Senator Lekan Balogun who is the Osi Olubadan summed it up as he remarked that the Ibadan traditional institution is now a different ball game from what Oba Odulana met on ground. Hear the Osi Olubadan: “As at the time His Royal Majesty ascended the throne, there was an unwritten notion that the traditional system in Ibadan was peopled largely by uneducated lots and that exceptions were the few that were educated. However, that picture has changed dramatically because today, we have all sorts of professionals on the hierarchy. It is noteworthy that a Professor even became Mogaji not too long ago,” he said.
The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) which joined the numerous well-wishers of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 felicitating with him on his 100 years birthday celebration in a congratulatory letter addressed to the Olubadan and signed by both its President and GeneralSecretary, Maj. Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd) and Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN respectively and made available to journalists in Ibadan by Dr. Dejo Raimi, the National Treasurer said the Council praised God for the monarch to enjoy such a grace.