The need for structured adjustments, implementation of novel initiatives and creation of an atmosphere that respects age-long tradition have been described as the bedrock of the highly anticipated development in Ibadan.
A doyen of African History and Distinguished Teaching Professor at The University of Texas, Austin, United States of America, Professor Toyin Falola, made this assertion at the first Olubadan Coronation Lecture in honour of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
In his Four Hundred and Three-paged lecture titled “Ibadan in History: Issues in Tradition and Modernity”, Professor Falola affirmed that Ibadan is the epicentre of socio-economic and political development in Africa and has produced notable figures in the world of music and entertainment, fiction, socio-cultural development and Communications.
According to Professor Falola, “the creation of Olubadan Chair in all universities domiciled in Ibadan, the establishment of the Olubadan Ward System and the creation of the Olubadan Cup to appreciate talented Ibadan indigenes who are excelling in areas such as poetry, drama, sports, music and other areas, would revive the glory of Ibadan and retain the city as the intellectual capital of Africa”.
“You cannot study African States without studying Ibadan, because Ibadan was not just a city in the 19th Century, it transformed itself into an empire. Ibadan wasn’t a town, it was an empire and its power stretched to areas now called Ondo State, parts of Edo State and shared boundaries with other great States in Nigeria”, he said.
On the role of Ibadan during the Colonial Era, Professor Falola, who is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair and the Kluge Chair of the Countries and Culture of the South, The Library of Congress Washington DC, said Ibadan became a State Capital and began to lead the modernization project such as education, entrepreneurship and culture. “Today, without any arrogance or exaggeration, Ibadan is the intellectual capital of Africa, as there is no city that can match this achievement”, Falola asserted.
The Global Icon of African History also presented a structured map of the proposed Ibadan State and called on all indigenes of Ibadan to support the New Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja in the creation of a city that would be the envy of all cities in modern day Africa.
The first Coronation Lecture which has been published into a book, discussed in detail, the idiosyncrasies of Ibadan people, especially in areas of jokes, slurs and street parlance that have earned Ibadan its numerous accolades across the world.
Present at the epoch making event were members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis of Ibadanland, Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, all Principal Officers of the University of Ibadan led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, and world renowned scholars such as Professor Femi Osofisan and Professor Aderemi Adedibu.
The special Coronation Lecture was also graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Kola Daisi University, Professor Adeniyi Olatunbosun and the Proprietor, Lead City University, Professor Jide Owoeye.
The media and entertainment industries were represented by stakeholders such as Veteran Broadcaster and Custodian of Yoruba Tradition, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi and Veteran Film Maker, Tunde Kelani.
At the end of the event, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes presented The Award of “Most Patriotic Ibadan Indigene” (MPII) to the guest lecturer, Professor Toyin Falola, in recognition of his professional integrity as a historian of growth and for projecting the image of Ibadan worldwide through academic scholarship.
