Ibadan Obas Absent As Olubadan Celebrates 90

Eminent personalities, including first-class monarchs, political leaders and government officials yesterday poured encomiums on the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, as he concluded the week-long programmes marking his 90th birthday.

They praised the celebrant for his sterling qualities and immense contributions to the development of Ibadan and humanity.

But Ibadan obas yesterday said they were not invited to Oba Adetunji’s birthday.

One of the obas, who spoke in confidence, claimed that the Planning Committee did not send any invitation to them.

He blamed the “oversight” on the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Committee, Niyi Adewole, who also is the counsel to the Olubadan in the case challenging the review of the Ibadan chieftaincy laws.

“How will they invite us when the deputy chairman of the committee is the one who is handling the case that took us to court? The other time he was asked some questions about us and he said he did not even know how to address us.

“So, how will he support the idea of inviting us?”

But the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, who handled the invitation, claimed that it was confirmed that invitation cards were sent to the beaded crown-wearing obas. It is well.