Oba Dr. Lekan Balogun, the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadan, has said the unity of Ibadan and Nigeria at large will be his priority.

The 42nd Olubadan, who received the staff of office on Friday, from the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries that graced the occasion.

His words: “I will not let Ibadan down, I will not let Nigeria down. I thank the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who came to represent President Muhammadu Buhari. I also thank the former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and other dignitaries present here.”

In his address, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was ably represented by the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo commended the importance of Ibadanland to the country, noting that Ibadan not only in the political history, unparalleled traditional system but being the home of many first institutions in the country.

He maintained that the newly crowned Olubadan who has made himself ready for the throne, will not disappoint the sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

Governor Seyi Makinde, after presenting the staff of honor and the instrument of office to the forty-second Olubadan of Ibadanland, urged the people of Ibadanland to be rejoicing because the traditional system of Ibadan has been restored despite all the challenges that erupted after the transition of the previous Olubadan, adding that it is an age-old tradition that must be upheld.

“Our gathering here is a victory for all the Ibadan indigenes because our traditional system has been restored. Our Baba has contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria at large. He has served the state at the Senate. He’s indeed a man of many parts. We have things in common, both of us served at Shell Oil.

“The custodian of our traditional system should desist from partisan politics, you are the gatekeepers and I want you to remain as such,” he said.

Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland received staff and instrument of Office 69 days after the demise of the late Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeoguguniso 1 and he was duly crowned after performing traditional rites at Afobaje’s Compound and Ose House all located at Oja’ba market beside Mapo Hall before he was officially presented staff and instrument of office from the state Governor Engr Seyi Makinde.