Ahead of the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday, 26 September, the city of Ibadan is agog amid preparations and excitement.
A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who moved around the city Thursday observed that some of the major roads leading to the historic Mapo Hall, venue of the coronation, have been barricaded.
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In line with the directive of the Oyo State Government, the road leading to the central part of the city from Bere junction through to Idi-Arere was barricaded by security operatives monitoring movements of people around the historic hall.
The Mapo Hall itself was undergoing some painting while its surroundings were being cleaned up ahead of the ceremonies on Friday.
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Similarly, security has been strengthened across the city in anticipation of the arrival of President Bola Tinubu on Friday. Mr Tinubu served as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 while Oba Ladoja served as Oyo state governor between 2003 and 2007.
Oba Ladoja, who would receive both the staff and instrument of office on Friday, succeeds Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed on in July, aged 90.
Stadium, hotels, airport
PREMIUM TIMES also observed that the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ring Road, was being set to host dignitaries while the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, reopened for two weeks ahead of the ceremonies.
The airport had been shut down for an upgrade to international standards in March.
The influx of people into the city also impacted the services sector, as hotels recorded improved patronage this week.
A hotel manager in Bodija, who chose not to have his name mentioned, told PREMIUM TIMES that the number of guests had shot up since Monday as visitors came into the city in their numbers.
“Hotels around Bodija and Secretariat and many parts of central Ibadan are fully booked, everyone is happy,” he said.
Commercial drivers and other road transport workers also expressed delight at the level of patronage recorded due to the surge of people into the city ahead of the keenly anticipated coronation.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Ibadan comes alive in anticipation of Ladoja’s coronation as Olubadan
On Thursday, a Micra driver, Babatunde Salawu, told this newspaper that although the barricaded sections of the road were not accessible, there had been improvement in patronage due to the influx of people into the city.
“Everybody is happy; they want Ladoja as Olubadan and so you can see the crowd everywhere. Tomorrow is going to be interesting,” he said.
Isale-Osi in Celebration
When PREMIUM TIMES reporter visited Isale-Osi, the ancestral home of the new Olubadan, the area was agog with loud music and friendly banters.
A crowd of young men gathered at the Born Photo section of the road, playing loud Fuji music. Others occupied another section of the road leading to Oke-Ado, dancing in anticipation of Friday’s coronation.
The entire stretch of the road leading to Oba Ladoja’s family compound was occupied by banners and posters with inscriptions and congratulatory messages.
