President Jonathan finally visits Ibadan for Olubadan's centennial birthday celebration

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In Ibadan, Oyo State capital Nigeria, people are paying homage to celebrate the traditional ruler of the city, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 who clocks 100 years today. The centennial birthday celebration, which will feature a church service, carnival show, symposium, Jumat service, stage play, chieftaincy award, a grand finale party and homage by his subjects, is significant not only because of the grace of longevity afforded the revered monarch but also because his reign, now in the eighth year, has brought with it unprecedented developmental strides and progress as well as aesthetic face-lift to the city, hitherto pejoratively ranked as “one of the dirtiest cities in Africa.”
His ascension to the throne kick-started with his appointment as the Mogaji (Head) of his Ladunni family compound, at Oja-Igbo in 1972. In 1976, Olubadan became the Jagun-Olubadanland. Thus, with a steady rise, getting 22 steps on the ladder of Ibadan’s unique chieftaincy succession system within a period of 31 years, Oba Odulana became the Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, August 17, 2007. President Jonathan was in Ibadan to witness the celebration. He had canceled his trip to Ibadan yesterday following the Nyanya bombing.