Ladoja Clarifies Beaded Crown Status — It’s Ceremonial, Not a Sign of Kingship

Former governor of Oyo state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja on Sunday, August 4, said his decision to join other high chiefs to wear beaded crown should not be taken as if he has become an Oba.

Newsmen quoted Ladoja as saying that despite his acceptance to wear a beaded crown which he described as a ceremonial crown, he remained the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

During an interview with journalists at his Bodija residence, the former governor revealed that he accepted the beaded crown after consulting with various stakeholders, including Christian and Muslim leaders, as well as the Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland.

He emphasized that his decision was guided by the wishes of the Ibadan people and his conviction.

According to him, taking the crown does not make him an Oba because it is a ceremonial crown.

He said: “The crown is ceremonial, and it is for those of us who are already in the Olubadan line to become the Olubadan, we only have one Oba in Ibadanland which is the Olubadan.

“For Ibadan, the crown does not make someone a king, I’m not an Oba, I remain the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, to be an Oba, you need to have domain and chief, as Olubadan chief, you can’t be a king in Ibadan and wear your crown and horsewhip to the Olubadan palace.

“People said the amended Chieftaincy law was targeted towards me, but I believe the amended law was made public for me to know what can hinder me from becoming the Olubadan.

“It’s not just for me to become the Olubadan, it’s about service, only God knows who will become Olubadan, what else do I want if God has been kind enough to me to live to this age.”