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Historic Twist! Ex-Oyo Governor to Make Royal History as Olubadan
Following the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin I), on Monday morning, the succession now rests with the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
With the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin (Ige Olakulehin I), on Monday morning, the path to the ancient throne now leads to Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State.
According to Ibadan’s unique and time-honoured succession system, the next in line after the demise of an Olubadan is the Otun Olubadan — a position currently held by Oba Ladoja. His ascension will mark a historic moment, as he becomes the first former Oyo State governor to ascend the Olubadan throne.
A veteran politician and businessman, Oba Ladoja served as Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, and previously as a senator during the short-lived Third Republic in 1993 under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). He will also be the second Nigerian senator to assume the Olubadan title, following the late Oba Lekan Balogun, who represented Oyo Central in the Senate from 1999 to 2003.
Born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari village near Ibadan, Oba Ladoja received his early education at Ibadan Boys High School and Olivet Baptist High School before proceeding to the University of Liège in Belgium, where he studied chemical engineering from 1966 to 1972.
His career began at Total Nigeria, where he worked for 13 years before venturing into private business. His entrepreneurial interests have spanned multiple sectors — including shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and transportation.
Ladoja’s political prominence rose in the 1990s. Elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1993, he later became a director at Standard Trust Bank by 2000. In 2003, he was elected governor of Oyo State but was controversially impeached in 2006. His impeachment was overturned later that year, and he returned to office until 2007. Despite political turbulence, he remained a formidable figure in state and national politics.
Nation Mourns Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in following the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away at the age of 90, just days after marking his birthday and coronation anniversary.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement issued by his media aide Bayo Onanuga, described the late monarch as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and leadership, whose life embodied the ideals of public service and cultural preservation.
“He was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich heritage but also a man of intellect whose impact reached into education, governance, and national development,” the president said.
Tinubu recalled having recently received an invitation to the Olubadan’s 90th birthday celebration, which now serves as a poignant reminder of the monarch’s final days.
Governor Makinde Pledges Support for Royal Family
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has also expressed condolences and assured the late monarch’s family of the government’s full support, including the facilitation of a befitting burial.
Receiving a delegation from the Olubadan’s family at his office on Monday, Makinde noted the irreplaceable nature of the late king but urged the family to take solace in a life well lived.
“We wish they could stay with us longer, but our time on earth is limited. The government will honour Kabiyesi with the dignity he deserves,” the governor said.
A Legacy of Service and Tradition
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan, celebrated his coronation anniversary and 90th birthday on July 5, 2025, just days before his passing. Despite initial controversies surrounding his ascension, his reign was marked by unity and cultural affirmation, according to Chief Bayo Oyero, former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), who led the family delegation to the governor.
“We thank your government for its historic support, especially the remarkable coronation ceremony held in his honour,” Oyero said.
As the city mourns, attention now shifts to the traditional succession process — and the likely coronation of a former governor as Ibadan’s next royal father. If confirmed, Oba Ladoja’s ascension will blend political legacy with cultural authority, marking a new chapter in Ibadanland’s storied monarchy.
”NIVONEWS”
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has appealed to residents of Abia State and other road users along the Aba–Azumini highway to protect the newly completed road from activities that could damage it.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
FERMA’s South-East 2 Zonal Director, Suleiman Mohammed Omonowo, issued the warning during an inspection of the project, cautioning against the burning of tyres during celebrations, which he said could damage the road surface.
He noted that destructive practices by some youths and community members often contribute to the early failure of road projects across the country.
“Our advice to road users, especially indigenes, is to protect the road from destruction. Let nobody come and destroy it or burn tyres in the name of celebration,” he said.
Omonowo said the Aba–Azumini highway was previously in a very bad condition before FERMA intervened, describing it as a death trap for commuters and residents.
He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project, adding that drainage structures such as catch pits would help prevent flooding and extend the lifespan of the road.
According to him, the highway serves as a major link between Aba, several Abia communities, and Cross River State, carrying heavy traffic daily.
He urged local construction firms to improve on quality delivery to compete effectively with foreign contractors.
Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer in Abia State, Festus Okafor, said FERMA workers have not faced harassment or violence from residents during operations in the state.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Yobe State Command, has declared a 30-year-old inmate wanted after he escaped following a road accident involving a prison transport vehicle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident reportedly occurred on April 13, 2026, while inmates were being conveyed from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum to Damaturu.
In a statement issued in Damaturu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abdullahi Adamu, said the vehicle conveying the inmates was involved in a crash during the journey.
He said the accident happened while efforts were ongoing to rescue those affected.
The escaped inmate was identified as Dahiru Mohammed, with prison number J/1539/24, who was admitted into custody on November 29, 2024.
The Correctional Service described him as dangerous and warned members of the public not to have any form of contact with him.
It urged residents to report any useful information that could lead to his re-arrest to the nearest security agency.
Authorities also cautioned that harbouring a fugitive is a criminal offence punishable under the law.
The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the University of Ibadan (UI) to reinstate three students suspended over their participation in a protest against tuition fee hikes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha set aside the decision of the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, ruling that the students were denied fair hearing during the disciplinary process.
The court held that the failure to allow the students call witnesses and present evidence violated their constitutional right to fair hearing, rendering the sanctions against them invalid.
The affected students — Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus — were suspended on July 14, 2025, after taking part in a protest against increased school fees approved by the university’s governing council.
Dissatisfied with the suspension, they approached the court, arguing that the disciplinary proceedings breached their fundamental rights and due process.
They asked the court to quash the suspension, reinstate their studentship, and award damages for alleged rights violations.
In her ruling, Justice Maha agreed with their arguments, stating that the university’s actions failed to meet the standards of natural justice.
Following the judgment, rights group CAPPA hailed the decision, urging the university to comply fully, reinstate the students, and issue an apology.
The group said the ruling reinforces constitutional protections for freedom of expression and serves as a warning against the suppression of student protests in tertiary institutions.
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