Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Advisory Council in the state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, has felicitated with the Olubadan-designate, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, wishing him longevity, good health, and a peaceful reign.
In a congratulatory message, Chief Oladokun prayed that God would endow the incoming monarch with wisdom to rule the people of Ibadanland. He expressed confidence that the former governor possesses the qualities required for good governance even before ascending the throne.
“Ibadanland is lucky to have former Governor Ladoja as the new Olubadan. He is an industrialist, political leader, and business mogul, who has travelled widely across the world and acquired experience in all facets of life,” he said.
Reflecting on Ladoja’s journey to the throne, the former deputy governor noted that despite facing a turbulent political career and decades-long climb up the Olubadan hierarchy, he remained resolute and patient. Oladokun described such endurance as a rare leadership quality befitting of a traditional ruler of his calibre.
He further observed that as a principled man who values culture, the new Olubadan is expected to bring dignity to traditional institutions and foster unity among Yoruba traditional rulers.
Chief Oladokun lamented the historical relegation of traditional rulers out of envy by the colonial masters, a legacy that, he said, was unfortunately entrenched in the inherited British legal system.
He therefore appealed to the Olubadan-designate to leverage his past roles as senator and governor to work with all relevant arms of government in order to correct the anomaly. He urged him to champion the recognition, respect, and protection of traditional rulers within the framework of the law.
