Members of Daramola family in Ita Baale area of Ibadan have paid a royal homage to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin.
The family representatives paid the royal homage to the Olubadan-designate at his Alalubosa residence on Saturday.
It was gathered that Daramola family compound is located at E2/177A Ita Baale, opposite Olakulehin family compound where the Olubadan-designate hails from.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that Daramola family is one of the prominent families in Ita Baale in Ward 2 in Ibadan North East local government area. Other families within the area are; Okugbaja, Olakulehin, Daodu, Jenriyin, Akinrinde (Kola Daisi), Kuye, Mosaderin, Ogboriefon and Jenrola (Arisekola Alao).
The family representatives were first received by the Olubadan-designate’s heir, Hon. Sumbo Owolabi and other members of the family before they were taken to the inner room where they met the Olubadan-designate and paid the royal homage.
A member of Daramola family, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo confirmed the development in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
Adebayo, a Social Worker and Journalist, maintained that it has always been the culture and tradition for family members whose houses are close to the Olubadan-designate to pay royal homage.
He said that members of Daramola family are happy that the Olubadan stool is coming back to Ita Baale after the reign of Baale Oyesile Olugbode who ruled from 1851 to 1864.
“I wish to use this medium to congratulate our Baba, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin the Olubadan-designate as he ascend the Olubadan stool soon.
“We members of Daramola family whose family compound is situated at E2/177A in Ita Baale on Saturday paid a royal homage to the Olubadan-designate. The few of us that made it to the house paid the homage on behalf of other members of the extended family both at home and in the Diaspora.
“It has always been the tradition for family members whose houses are close to the next person to occupy the stool to pay royal homage. Some members of various families including our own had earlier went to pay the royal homage. But, we the Daramola family thought that we in particular should pay the royal homage to the Olubadan-designate became of the closeness to our own family.
“We are happy that the Olubadan stool is coming back to Ita Baale. Ita Baale produced only one Baale since Ibadan was established over 200 years ago. Baale Oyesile Olugbode from Ita Baale was the 7th traditional ruler in Ibadan and reigned for thirteen (13) years, between 1851-1864.
“The title of Olubadan of Ibadanland has not been introduced as at that time. The title of the Olubadan was introduced in 1930 during the reign of Olubadan Okunola Abaasi Alesinloye from Isale Ijebu who reigned for sixteen years, 1930-1946.
“We are happy that this is the first time the traditional ruler in Ibadan with the Olubadan of Ibadanland title will come from Ita Baale. Olakulehin compound is at the front of our house. The family houses around the area are; Daramola, Okugbaja, Daodu, Jenriyin, Akinrinde (Kola Daisi), Kuye, Mosaderin, Ogboriefon and Jenrola (Arisekola Alao)”.
