89 years after naming, Olubadan Olakulehin fulfils destiny

Oba Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland emerged as the Olubadan-designate following the death of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 14, 2024. His emergence came with controversies over his health, due to old age. As a statesman, he made no statement condemning anyone or the government. He bore no grudges. He was focused, and determined. He made exceptional appearances when necessary to ward off rumours. The waiting periods are over. Here comes Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, the Ige Olakulehin 1. Long Live the King!

 

1. A king is born!

On July 5, 1935, a charming boy was born in the serene Okugbaja Village, located near Akanran in what is now the Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. His parents were Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi.

 

2. A king is named!

He was given the name Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin on July 12, 1935.

Roughly translated, Akinloyè means The Brave owns the title/position/power.

Olalere means wealth is profitable.

And Olakulehin means Prestige/wealth of the latter days or still, wealth remains. Yorubas would say, Ọla o tan, ọlakulehin. Meaning wealth is never exhausted, it remains still.

Owolabi, his surname means we gave birth to wealth.

 

3. Exactly 89 years after…

Today, July 12 and the 89th anniversary of his naming, Olubadan Olakulehin is set to ascend to one of the highest traditional titles in Yoruba land.

Holding at the historic Mapo Hall, he is enthroned as the Olubadan of Ibadanland and dons the prestigious beaded crown. The new Olubadan is the first from his lineage to become the Olubadan. He has chosen to bear the name of the family, Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin 1.

 

4. Second Olubadan to rule from a  permanent and prestigious palace

After the famous Olubadan Yesufu Oloyede Asanike, who first lived in the old palace at Oja’ba. The ultramodern historic palace sitting magnificently on Oke-Aremo, inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday, is to be the new official residence and palace of subsequent Olubadans, starting with Oba Olakulehin.

Hitherto, the personal residence of the succeeding Olubadan had always served as the palace, upon ascension to the throne.

 

5. Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, a blessing

Oba Olakulehin’s coronation is a significant blessing to Ita-Baale Olugbode, his ancestral homestead within the ancient city of Ibadan. This momentous event revives a historic lineage, as the last ruler from Ita-Baale was Baale Ajayi Oyesile Olugbode, who reigned from 1851 to 1864. The name “Ita-Baale” literally means the courtyard of the ruler, derived after the title of Baale Olugbode. It is noteworthy that since the title “Olubadan” was officially created in 1930, the Ita-Baale Olugbode area had not produced an Olubadan until now. The community holds a special place in the history of Ibadan, not only for its ancestral significance as a conglomeration of families in Ibadan but also for its religious heritage. It is renowned for being where Olubadan Akinyele established his church, the Christ Apostolic Church Olugbode. This church remains a prominent landmark, reflecting the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural heritage of the community. With Oba Olakulehin ascending the throne, Ita-Baale Olugbode is poised to regain its historical prominence, celebrating a new chapter in its rich legacy and contributing to the enduring story of Ibadan’s traditional leadership.

 

6. Climbing the ladder in 1983

Olubadan Olakulehin became the Mogaji of the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area of Oyo State, in 1983. He was installed as the Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land by Oba Asanike in 1986. He then rose through the ladder and was elevated in 2006 to the Olubadan-In-Council, under Oba Yinusa Bankole Ogundipe, the 38th Olubadan of Ibadan. In 2016, Oba Olakulehin became the Balogun of Ibadanland, following the promotion of Oba Saliu Adetunji to the throne of the Olubadan. Olakulehin served as Balogun of Ibadanland for eight years.

 

For Oba Olakulehin, it was a journey of 41 years from Jagun Balogun – Ajia – Bada – Aare Onibon – Gbonnka – Aare Egbe Omo-Oota – Lagunna – Aare Ago – Ayingun – Asaju – Ikolaba – Aare Alasa – Agba Akin – Ekefa – Maye – Abese – Ekaarun Balogun – Ekeerin Balogun – Ashipa Balogun – Osi Balogun – Otun Balogun, Balogun and finally to the zenith of the ladder, the Olubadan of Ibadanland. He successfully stepped on each rung of the ladder until he got to the zenith.

 

7. Coronation rites

Oba Olakulehin toured Oluwo Labosinde Compound at Oja’ba, Ibadan, where he  performed traditional rites and the Ose Meji Shrine. Crowned as the new Olubadan of Ibadan land, he was  presented the staff of office and instrument of office by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Mapo Hall.

 

8. Do we ever get to the zenith?

To Oba Olakulehin, today’s event affirms the question he asked when he became Mogaji in 1986. He spoke briefly with journalists on June 14, 2024, when he went on an inspection visit to the ultramodern Olubadan Palace, from where he will rule today. He said, “When we started the ladder (Mogaji), I asked, ‘Do we get to the climax?’ And they said yes. So, I knew that I would become Olubadan of Ibadanland. Now we are there.”

 

9. Oba Olakulehin’s educational journey

The king had his primary education at St James Primary School in his village, Oke Akaran, followed by Islamic School, Odoiye, and finally St Peter Primary School, Aremo, all in Ibadan. After graduating, he taught as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan. He then proceeded to Yaba Technical Institute for his secondary education, where he studied printing and artwork.

While working at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan from 1959, he furthered his education at Yaba College of Technology, earning both an Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.

 

10. Career of a king

Olakulehin was recruited in 1970 through the Direct Short Service Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant after he transferred his service to the Nigerian Army Corp of Engineers. He served the Army in Benin and Sapele under General Olusegun Obasanjo as his commanding officer. He rose through the ranks to the position of Major. As an officer, he held various positions. These included the Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna and Lagos. He retired voluntarily from the Nigerian Army as a Major on October 1, 1979, after a remarkable 25-year career in military service

He founded FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a building contracting company which undertook various contracts for private individuals, corporations and the government, including the Nigerian Army.

He later owned and operated a successful printing press (Olakulehin Press, later renamed Solid Prints); the establishment of FAKOL Bakery, which was very famous for the production, distribution and supply of Fakol Loaves, Pastries and other pioneering confectionaries within the city of Ibadan.

Oba Olakulehin was a founding member of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State during the Third Republic. He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1992, the same period the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Rashidi Yekini, became Senator. Olakulehin represented Ibadan South East Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee of the Nigerian Army.