Twelve months after ascending the throne of his forebears, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, has marked his first year on the throne amid renewed attention to development projects, investment initiatives and other interventions affecting Ibadanland.
The monarch, who is also marking his 82nd birthday, opted for a quiet commemoration and is currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj, where he is giving thanks for what has been described as a peaceful first year on the throne.
Beyond the anniversary, attention has turned to some of the development initiatives associated with the Olubadan’s engagements with the Federal Government and other stakeholders since his emergence as monarch.
One of the major projects is the reconstruction and dualisation of the Ibadan–Ijebu-Ode Road, valued at more than N296 billion and recently flagged off.
Sources familiar with discussions surrounding the project credited Oba Ladoja with advocating for the Federal Government’s intervention on the road, citing his longstanding relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The monarch and Tinubu have maintained a relationship spanning several decades, dating back to their years as prominent political figures.
Another project receiving attention is the proposed channelisation of the Kudeti River in Ibadan, aimed at addressing flooding and improving environmental safety in communities along the river corridor.
According to sources familiar with the initiative, Oba Ladoja presented the Kudeti River proposal to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, as part of efforts to secure federal intervention through the Ecological Fund Office.
The Olubadan has also turned his attention to land disputes and the activities of land grabbers across Ibadanland.
As part of the effort, he constituted a Special Anti-Land Grabbing Legal Committee involving senior legal practitioners, including Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, and Musibau Adetunbi, SAN.
The initiative is expected to strengthen efforts to address illegal land acquisition and related disputes, while the monarch has called for measures that would enable such cases to be dealt with more quickly.
Oba Ladoja has also warned traditional title holders against involvement in land grabbing, maintaining that any Mogaji or Baale found to be supporting illegal land activities could face sanctions, including removal from office.
On the economic front, the Olubadan established the Olubadan Economic and Investment Committee as part of efforts to attract investment, stimulate economic activity and explore opportunities for the revival of industries in Ibadan.
The committee is led by former Minister of Industry, Chief Onikepo Akande, with former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, serving as co-chairman.
Among the areas receiving attention are some of Ibadan’s once-prominent industrial establishments, including Leyland, Exide Battery, Wire and Cable, Isoglass and Ferodo.
The broader objective is to explore opportunities for industrial revival and investment capable of creating employment, particularly for young people across Ibadanland.
Agriculture and food security have also featured in the monarch’s development agenda, with initiatives including Gaari Ibadan and community-based farming programmes aimed at encouraging local production and improving self-reliance.
One year into his reign, Oba Ladoja’s approach has increasingly combined his traditional responsibilities with advocacy for infrastructure, investment, land security and economic development.
Supporters of the monarch say his interventions demonstrate an attempt to deploy the influence of the Olubadan institution beyond ceremonial functions and towards attracting projects and opportunities to Ibadanland.
