President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, to attend the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The President’s arrival, which was met with a rousing reception from a massive crowd of dignitaries and citizens, marks the climax of the week-long series of events celebrating the ascension of the new monarch.

His presence and other dignitaries underscore the national importance of the occasion, as Ibadan celebrates the continuity of its revered monarchical institution.
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‎Ladoja, a former Oyo state governor and senator, was selected as the 44th Olubadan, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan, Set To Receive Staff Of Office
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‎Excitement is already sweeping across Ibadan as the city witnesses Ladoja’s ascension to the revered throne.
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‎Ladoja, 81, is a respected businessman and political figure who rose through the traditional Olubadan chieftaincy ranks to become Olubadan.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and one of the largest cities in West Africa. The Olubadan throne holds deep cultural, historical, and political significance among the Yoruba people.

Report earlier had it that major roads were closed and security personnel from various agencies, including the police and DSS, were strategically deployed to ensure a peaceful and orderly ceremony.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Akoko Leaves Placed On Ladoja Ahead Of Crowning As 44th Olubadan

The Mapo Hall, an iconic landmark in the city, was meticulously decorated, and billboards bearing the image of the Olubadan-designate were seen across the metropolis. The atmosphere is thick with cultural pride, with traditional drummers and dancers adding to the festive mood.

Oba Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State, has been the center of attention since the passing of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on July 7, 2025.

The journey to the throne has been a long and distinguished one for the 81-year-old monarch, who has risen through the traditional chieftaincy ranks over a span of 32 years.

His coronation is particularly significant as he is the first former governor of the state to ascend the Olubadan throne, bringing a unique blend of political experience and traditional leadership to the revered stool.

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Other prominent guests who have arrived for the occasion include the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who cut short his annual leave to present the staff of office to the new Olubadan.

Several other traditional rulers, political leaders, and business moguls from across Nigeria are also in attendance, highlighting the broad-based respect for Oba Ladoja and the Olubadan institution.

The ceremony is a display of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and a testament to the enduring importance of traditional institutions in modern Nigeria.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

As the ceremony progresses, all eyes are on Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who has already completed key traditional rites, including the symbolic decoration with Akoko leaves. His coronation is not just a ceremonial event but a significant milestone that solidifies the continuity of the Olubadan lineage and marks a new era for Ibadanland. With President Tinubu in attendance, the event serves as a powerful symbol of national unity and a celebration of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has embarked on a sweeping reorganisation of its operations and workforce.

The refinery said the decision was taken in response to repeated sabotage by staff members that threatened the operational safety of the 650,000 barrels per day facility.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the refinery said it was “constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant” following “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”

Affected staff were directed to hand over all company property to their line managers and await clearance before receiving their entitlements, which the Finance Department would compute in line with their conditions of service.

READ ALSO:Marketers Get Dangote’s Free Fuel Supply

However, a senior official of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals dismissed reports that the company sacked workers en masse, insisting that the recent development was a reorganisation exercise aimed at curbing sabotage within the plant.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Friday, the official, who confirmed the authenticity of the disengagement letter, stressed that its interpretation had been largely misrepresented.

“Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong. The interpretation is that it affects some people because of certain things discovered in the refinery. It has nothing to do with unionism or anything like that,” the official said.

According to him, the move was designed to plug leakages and protect the company’s assets following repeated acts of sabotage.

“It doesn’t mean they have been sacked. That is incorrect. What was done was to put a check in place. It is more like a clean-up in the system to check where those sabotage and leakages are coming from and then address them. As soon as the issues are addressed, they will be reabsorbed. That is why it is not a sack and that word wasn’t used,” he explained.

READ ALSO:Dangote Fuel Sells Cheaper In Togo Than In Nigeria – Falana Laments

He added that the exercise was carried out suddenly to prevent those involved in the alleged sabotage from concealing their actions.

“Some acts of sabotage have been noticed repeatedly and the company is only trying to safeguard its assets. Also, you cannot do things like this and give two weeks’ notice; otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues,” he said.

The official further clarified that refinery operations were ongoing and that both Nigerians and expatriates were still actively working at the plant.

“As we speak, people are still working at the refinery. The people affected know themselves, and those who did not get the letter are not affected. Anyone who doesn’t have a hand in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” he stressed.

When contacted, Dangote spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, did not respond to messages sent to him by our correspondent

READ ALSO:Dangote Refinery Reduces Fuel Price Nationwide, Provides Update On Petrol Distribution

A copy of the disengagement letter, obtained by our correspondent on Friday, was addressed to all staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company.

It read, “In view of the many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns, the Management is constrained to carry out a total re-organisation of the plant.

“As a consequence of this development, we wish to inform you that your services are no longer required, with effect from the eve of Thursday, the 25th September, 2025.

“Please surrender all the Company’s properties in your possession to your line manager and obtain an exit clearance accordingly, but the date for doing so will be communicated to you later.

“The Finance Department, by a copy of this letter, is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service and pay the amount due to you (less all indebtedness), subject to the condition that you have obtained the exit clearance certificate as mentioned above.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Sashes Petrol Gantry Price

“We seize this opportunity to thank you for your services while you were in our employment.”

The refinery, which commenced production in 2024 amid fanfare and expectations of ending Nigeria’s decades-long reliance on imported petroleum products, is already battling operational turbulence and industrial disputes.

Recently, the refinery was enmeshed in a bitter row with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over labour practices and safety standards.

The oil workers’ union had accused the company of “high-handedness” and warned against what it described as an emerging pattern of unfair labour practices.

The plant also faced friction with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria over product pricing and distribution arrangements, with marketers alleging that Dangote imposed rigid conditions that could distort the downstream market.

A former Governor of Oyo State, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has officially been crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

He was crowned at the Ose Meji Temple in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area of the state.

Ladoja, who had earlier received the traditional Akoko leaf at the Labosinde Compound, Oja’ba, Ibadan, is expected to be formally presented with the staff and instrument of office by Governor Seyi Makinde at the historic Mapo Hall.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Akoko Leaves Placed On Ladoja Ahead Of Crowning As 44th Olubadan

The PUNCH reports that Governor Makinde cut short his annual leave on Thursday to personally attend Oba Ladoja’s coronation.

It will be recalled that Ladoja became Olubadan-designate following the passing of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Details later…