Olubadan Oba Ladoja Pledges Economic Revival and Peaceful Coexistence
The 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has vowed to dedicate his reign to economic revitalisation, youth empowerment, and fostering religious harmony across Ibadanland and Oyo State.
The monarch made the declaration on Sunday during a thanksgiving service—his first public outing since ascending the throne—held in his honour at the Ascension of Christ Catholic Church, Bodija, Ibadan.
Addressing the congregation, Oba Ladoja assured both local and foreign investors of an enabling business environment in Ibadan, calling the city a “fertile land for investment and economic growth.”
He emphasized that the stool of the Olubadan is fundamentally about facilitating the all-round progress of the town, not merely about “beads or status.”
“The major assignment before me as Olubadan of Ibadanland is the growth of Ibadanland… To achieve this feat, I will collaborate with the government at all levels to ensure Ibadan and Oyo State maintain their pace-setter status,” he declared.
The Olubadan also underscored the collaborative nature of the city’s leadership, stating, “We are all governing Ibadan. I am just the coordinator. You are the small Olubadans, and I am the big Olubadan.”
Oba Ladoja reaffirmed his commitment to religious tolerance, highlighting Ibadan’s long-standing tradition of peaceful interfaith relations. “We have never had a record of religious crisis in Ibadan because each family here reflects a blend of religious faiths. I am now the king of all religious groups in Ibadan,” he said.
In his congratulatory message, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Abegunrin, described Oba Ladoja’s enthronement as a “divine mandate” and praised the monarch for setting a “shining example of interfaith goodwill and mutual respect” by starting his reign with a thanksgiving service.
The Archbishop assured the Olubadan of the Church’s continued prayers and support for peace and justice.
The service was well-attended by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, traditional titleholders, the monarch’s family, and well-wishers.
