The 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Dr Kola Balogun, was on Friday presented with his staff of office by the governor of Oyo State, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde.
Governor Makinde handed over the staff of office yo the new monarch, during his coronation ceremony, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The coronation ceremony was graced by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar.
Other dignitaries in attendance were Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Osun State Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi and the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Traditional ruler at the coronation ceremony included: the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; Olubaka of Okaland, Ondo State, Oba Yusuf Adeleye; Oluwo of Iwoland; Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi; the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi III; and Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Salawudeen Adekunle Oligunebi.
Also in attendance were: Ambassador of Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jiauchun; former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan, Chief Rasidi Ladoja and a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro.
The ceremony was officially declared open at exactly 11.14am with the recitation of the National Anthem, Oyo State Anthem as well as Ibadan Anthem.
The opening prayers were said by Christians, Muslims clerics and the traditional prayer by the Araba Awo of Ibadanland.
Also, Moshood Ayanyemi, Atookowagbowo led other Ibadan drummers to welcome guests and well-wishers to the occasion in a traditional way.
However, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was ushered into the venue at exactly 11.50am, after which all the traditional chiefs, Mogajis, religious leaders, leaders of various associations in Ibadanland paid homage to Oba Balogun.
