Insideoyo.com has obtained the names and titles of 21 of the 32 high and senior chiefs who are be conferred with the title of Obas at a coronation fixed for Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government on Friday, August 25th, 2017, issued letters of conferment of Obaship on 21 chiefs in Ibadan.

The government explained that its decision was in line with the provisions of the recently amended 1959 Declaration of Olubadan and other related  chieftaincies in Ibadanland as well as the government White Paper as conveyed in Government Gazette No 14, Notice 27 Vol. 42 of 23rd August 2017 and Gazette No. 15 Notice 28 Vol. 42 of August 24, 2017 respectively.

The government stated that the governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, exercised his powers as conferred on him by section 28(i) Cap. Vol 1 of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and the amended 1959 declaration.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, presented the letters at the House of Chiefs.

Eight High Chiefs were elevated to Obaship, thereby changing their titles to “His Royal Majesty”

According to the SSG, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji remains the Imperial Majesty with no disruption or amendment to the traditional Olubadan Chieftaincy ascendancy system or structure.

The High Chiefs who are otherwise known as Olubadan-in-council, are eleven in number, including Iyalode who is in charge of women affairs. Each of them is in control of the 11 local government areas, LGA, of Ibadan. And as such, they will preside as Obas over the LGA‎ they head.

THE EX-HIGH CHIEFS WHO ARE NOW OBAS ARE:

1) High Chief Lekan Balogun:  Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland

2) High Chief Eddy Oyewole: Ashipa olubadan of Ibadanland

3) High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin: Balogun of Ibadanland

4) High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola: Osi Balogun of Ibadaland

5) High Chief Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe:  Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland

6)  High Chief Dr Kolawole Adegbola: Ekarun Blaogun of Ibadanland

7) High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi:  Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland

High Chief S. Amidu Ajibade:  Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland

Only High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who has taken the government to court,  was not in attendance. Chief Femi Olaifa, who was supposed to be one of the new Obas died last night.

Insideoyo.com also gathered that thirteen Baales were elevated to “His Royal Highness”, while the  9 vacant Baale stools were not conferred but their positions are now recognized as Obas.

THE EX-BAALES WHO ARE NOW OBAS ARE‎:

1) Chief Lasisi Akano: Onijaye of Ijaye

2) Chief Ismaila Olasunkanmi: Oniroko of Iroko

3) Chief Moses Olasunkanmi: Onikereku of Ikereku

4) Chief Mudasiru Omodele Adebayo: Baale Olodo

5) Chief Victor Sunday Okunola:  Elegbeda of Egbeda

6) Alhaji Wahab Olabamiji Okedina: Baale Okelade-Okin

7) Chief Olabamiji Ahmed Thomas:  Alakufo of Akufo

Chief Gbolagade Muritala Babalola:  Onido of Ido

9) Chief Dauda Omotoso:  Baale Awotan

10)  Chief Tiamiyu Labiyi Ladipo:  Baale of Abanla

11) Chief James Oladipo Obisesan: Baale Akanran were conferred with His Royal Highness status.

Speaking on behalf of the new Obas, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, tked the Oyo State Government and the governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for answering the call of the people to review the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration of 1959, stressing that the new development is God ordained.