The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has declared that the beaded crowns given to High Chiefs in the ancient city are honorary and not intended for traditional purposes.
Ladoja explained that there is only one king in the ancient city, which is the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Ladoja made this declaration on Sunday while speaking on a live radio program on Fresh 105.9 FM, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as monitored by DAILY POST.
The former governor, while addressing the live radio program titled “Agbami Oselu,” insisted that the beaded crowns given to the High Chiefs in Ibadan are honorary and not meant for any traditional purposes.
He further maintained that none of the High Chiefs who have received the beaded crowns has the right to call themselves Oba, as they do not have any domain.
“We have only one king in Ibadan, which is the Olubadan. No other person can call himself king apart from the Olubadan.
“The beaded crowns are honorary and not traditional crowns. I spoke with the Oluwo, who confirmed that those who received the beaded crowns did not perform any traditional rites before being given the crowns. So, it is honorary.
“If it is what the people of Ibadan want, I will accept it. But it remains an honorary title. The Olubadan will grant it, and the government has no role in it.
“I became the Jagun Olubadan on October 1, 1993, during the regime of Oba Asanike. Moshood Abiola asked us to wait for him to witness the event.”