Olubadan-designate, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has said that without Ibadan’s historical influence, Yoruba monarchs would have been addressed as Emirs rather than Obas.

Ladoja made the remark on Thursday while receiving the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife on a courtesy visit to his Bodija residence in Ibadan.

“The position of Ibadan on this matter is well documented in history. Without the influence of Ibadan, the traditional title of the entire Obas in Yorubaland would have been ‘Emir’,” he said.

He explained that Ibadan had already embarked on modernising its traditional system, stressing that Baales and Mogajis must play active roles in this process. “We have commenced the process of the modernization of Ibadan land. All the traditional rulers including Baales and Mogajis have critical roles to play in this regard.”

On security, the Olubadan-designate declared an end to absentee traditional leadership. “The era of diaspora Mogajis and Baales is over in Ibadan. If there is a breach of security in any community, the Baales and Mogajis will be held accountable,” he warned.

Speaking on the long-standing rivalry between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, Ladoja blamed followers for fueling discord rather than the monarchs themselves.

“I have always made people realise that neither the Ooni of Ife nor the Alaafin of Oyo promotes disunity but their respective followers… The kind of history their supporters are referring to is like that of Britain colonizing America. That was in the past. Today, if America sneezes, the entire Britain will catch a cold,” he said.

He further appealed to Oba Alao to support efforts to strengthen unity among Yoruba monarchs. “On the unity among the Obas in Yoruba land, I am soliciting the support of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao. His wealth of experience will assist in this regard.”