A Tribute to Ibadan's Crown: Long Live the Olubadan!

A Tribute to Ibadan's Crown: Long Live the Olubadan!

It is with a heart full of respect and reverence that I join the people of Ibadanland in paying tribute to our revered father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashid Adewolu Ladoja. May his reign be long, peaceful, prosperous, and filled with wisdom. Kabiyesi, ki ade pe lori, ki bata pe lese, ki irukere di okini!

The ascension of an Olubadan is more than just a coronation; it is a sacred, centuries-old rite—a celebration of history, tradition, and the unique, progressive system that governs our great city. Each Olubadan steps into a lineage that stretches back to the city's founders, a living bridge between the past and a promising future.

On Talent, Favour, and The Cap That Fits
I have been reflecting recently on the day of the coronation itself, and the choice of the musician for such a momentous occasion. Like many, one might have thought that a towering figure in Nigerian music, perhaps someone in the frame of a King Sunny Ade, would have been the natural choice to grace such a hallowed event. We probably would have saved ourselves of the need to use madness to cure madness.
Yet, as the performance unfolded, a deeper thought took root in my mind: I shouldn't begrudge the young man who was given the gig. His music may not have possessed the legacy of a veteran, but his presence was a powerful symbol.

In the past, the saying was: 'who the cap fits, wears it.' This time, on that grand stage, the prevailing philosophy seemed to be: 'it is who the gods favour that gets the gig.' It’s a profound shift in perspective. It tells us that sometimes, excellence is not the only path to the throne; sometimes, it is DIVINE favour that elevates you, sometimes it is the turn of the universe to simply shine its light on you.

I urge us all to carry this lesson forward: keep honing your craft, keep scaling and improving yourself, because that dedication will prepare you. But also know this: even if the "cap" of instant fame or perfect preparedness doesn't seem to fit you yet, just as the young man who sang at the coronation found his moment, the gods will favour you soon.

The Message in the Music
This brings me to a final question that has been swirling in my mind: Do you think the choice of the musician speaks more about the occasion or the people?
Did the organizers deliberately choose a fresh voice to symbolize the forward-looking nature of Ibadan—a nod to the youth who represent the city's future? Or does it speak to the people's evolving taste, signaling a shift in what Ibadan truly values and celebrates in its public life?
For me, it speaks to both. It confirms that the ancient city of Ibadan is always evolving, always making room for new blood while respecting the old.
What are your thoughts? Drop a comment and let me know. 

Long Live the Olubadan!

I'm TheCoachremi and I pray:
May the generation of our children and their children, enter into the realm of MERITED and UNMERITED FAVOURS. May the force of Heaven and Earth favour them in and out of season. When life brings them to the stage, may God bring them up to the stage and may the stage bring them up to the world. May they never need to use madness to cure madness.

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