•Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin
A 21-day mourning period has been declared in Ibadan to honour the passing of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died in the early hours of yesterday after a prolonged illness at a private hospital in the city.
The mourning period, which commenced today, is in line with the age-old tradition of the ancient city, reports The Nation.
Following the conclusion of the mourning period, members of the Olubadan-in-Council are expected to begin the traditional process of selecting and installing a new Olubadan.
According to the established succession hierarchy, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, is next in line to ascend the throne.
His nomination will be made by the Balogun Olubadan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, and seconded by the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, during a yet-to-be-convened meeting at the new Olubadan palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area.
Oba Ladoja, who was reportedly out of town when news of Oba Olakulehin’s death broke, is expected to return to Ibadan next week to begin the formal traditional process.
A source confirmed that several prominent individuals have been reaching out to condole with him on the monarch’s passing.
