The Okugbaja family, which is producing the next-in-line to the Olubadan throne, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is in a joyous mood for the opportunity to produce an Olubadan for the first time in the throne’s 204-year history.
Olakulehin’s enthronement will come 160 years after the only Olubadan in the larger Ita Baale family known as Baale Oyesile Olugbode joined his ancestors in 1864. He reigned for 13 years.
Olakulehin’s family also produced the current head of Egunguns in Ibadan in Chief Moshood Okugbaja.
Olakulehin is the head of the military line in the Olubadan chieftaincy system.
Palace drummers will officially move to his home after the 8th day fidau scheduled for Friday at Mapo Hall.
Every family in Ibadan is able to produce the Olubadan on rotation basis. A Mogaji is appointed as head of each family.
To get to the ladder of the Olubadan line, a Mogaji has to be promoted to Jagun in either of the civil or military line. The Jagun will then ascend the ladder subject to vacancies created by the death of those above him on the ladder.
The immediate past Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, was on the civil line. Hence he will be succeeded by the head of the military line.
It takes average of 40 years to get to the top of the ladder.