There was shower of praise on Thursday as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, and other prominent Ibadan sons and daughters gathered to celebrate the 5th coronation anniversary of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The event which held at Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Ibadan had dignitaries like Minister of Youth and Sport, Mr. Sunday Dare, Chief Niyi Akintola, Chief Bayo Oyero, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, Prof. Remi Raji, Eze Ndigbo, Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie, former CCII president, and All Ibadan High Chiefs among others.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi described the Olubadan as a patient leader and epitome of resilience who has sustained peaceful coexistence between indigenes and residents in Ibadanland and Yoruba land as a whole.
Oba Ogunwusi noted that five years’ reign of Oba Adetunji has brought a lot of development to Ibadan land, saying that the monarch deserved to be celebrated considering his achievements since he has come to the throne of his fathers.
“Five years were just like yesterday, Baba told me he wanted to postpone the coronation anniversary because of the corona virus but I insisted that we shall celebrate him because he deserved it, I pray for him to live longer.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotel and Sport Resort, Engr. Dotun Sanusi noted that Olubadan was a peaceful person who believes so much in the unity of Ibadan land, adding that the monarch has been able to bring together all ethnic groups.
Sanusi described the 5th coronation anniversary as a record breaking event which will always be remembered in history because for a first class monarch like Ooni to have decided to celebrate Olubadan.
Meanwhile, Prof. Remi Raji in his lecture at the event said that Oba Adetunji was a monarch who loves his people dearly, adding that the humility and resilience of the monarch makes a lot of people to be rallying around him.
The Media Aide to Olubadan of Ibadan land, Adeola Oloko noted that many people thought Oba Adetunji who ascended the throne of Olubadan at the age of 89 years old will not live long, but were later amazed with great things the king is now doing in Ibadan land.
According to him, “We are celebrating the achievements and the grace of God in the life of the monarch, we are celebrating him because five years is not a joke, a lot of things has happened within five years of his reign, this five years’ coronation is symbolic because a monarch like the Ooni of Ife can celebrate Olubadan in his life time
Alhaji Sheu Ibrahim, Oba Tapa said no need for criticizing anybody, let’s love ourselves because we shall continue to support Olubadan towards peaceful coexistence
The Eze Ndigbo of Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie said that the monarch is accomodative, who has been sustaining peace and harmony among residents and indigenes of the state.
