Kaaaaaaabiesi O!
This, inarguably, is his final destination in dream-chasing. Anyone can tell that Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja is going to be the atypical Olubadan. The signs are evident.
Perhaps, it is also the reason he’s left nothing to chance in the preparations for his coronation tomorrow – an event that has drawn both national and global attention, with many days of pomp and celebrations leading to the event.
It is true that people do have dreams. Many envision their dreams and do everything to live them. But only a few people often come close to their dreams, even when they visibly put their all into chasing it.
But one man set out from his prime to chase two dreams, aside from first securing financial security to make those dreams happen, and that man is the one to be coronated tomorrow as the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
A colossus by any standard, Oba Ladoja is definitely going to turn out a different kind of Olubadan. From business to politics and culture, he has his ink everywhere. His network is deep and expensive; and his reach is almost limitless.
Two things he had set out to become in life, wealth and riches aside. He wanted to be governor. That’s one. He also dreamt of becoming the Olubadan. And that’s all.
Curiously, he was audacious about it and never hid it from anyone. In fact, he granted interviews to put these dreams on the record.
Whatever anyone chooses to say on how his governorship panned out, Oba Ladoja was elected the governor of Oyo State in 2023. The first dream was fulfilled seamlessly.
Tomorrow, he’ll fulfill his second life-long bid as he will be crowned the Olubadan of Ibadan.
Eighty-one today, September 25th, is it an accident that a man born in 1944 is to be coronated the 44th Olubadan tomorrow, September 26? Maybe not. Destiny is actively involved in his trajectory.
The people wanted him. The universe preferred him. The gods preserved him for the throne at the appropriate time. The nexus between dreams and destiny is not invisible. It may be silent, though. But they work together for the overall good.
Many congratulations to the 44th Olubadan, Oba Ladoja. May this dream that providence has finally brought your way and sanctioned by the earth, not bring you any misfortune.
May the new Olubadan live long enough to fulfill calling and be the turning point in the history of a stool that has seen both the good and the bad times.
Kaaaaabiesi o!
NB:
This is both a birthday and coronation tribute.
Olawale Olaleye
Destiny Fulfilled: Oba Rashidi Ladoja Becomes 44th Olubadan on His 81st Birthday By Olawale Olaleye
