0
0
ALL HAIL DR. JADESOLA BABATOLA –
THE FIRST ONIGEGEARA OF IBADAN LAND
By Femi Alufa
The authority of the royal palace of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin (Olakulehin I), the Olubadan of Ibadanland have decided to honour our cerebral brother, mentor and a titan of academia – Dr. Jadesola Babatola (aka JET) as the Onigegeara of Ibadan land.
Dr. J. E.T. Babatola, is one of the sons of late High Chief (Dr) Joel Ehinafe Babatola, (1918-2014) the Olora of Ado-Ekiti, a foremost educationist, community leader and statesman of his generation who was one-time Principal of Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan and a Minister in the colonial era and first republic under Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Ladoke Akintola respectively.
Dr.J.E.T Babatola was born at the ancient city of Ibadan some 55 years ago, while his late mother, Chief (Mrs) Esther Modupe Babatola (1932-1979), who was born at Ibadan where she rose to become the Headmistress of Nigeria’s First private nursery school – Alaafia Institute, Mokola, Ibadan and later became the founding Proprietress of the first Montessori Private Nursery School in Ekitiland – Ajitadidun Nursery & Primary School, Ado- Ekiti in 1970.
Dr. Babatola’s maternal family live in Ibadan for close to a century while his parents lived in the ancient city for over thirty years when they were alive and he is a landlord in Ibadan today. Dr. Babatola was the Global President of Ekiti State University Alumni Association, a former Board Commissioner in Ekiti State and former Registrar of National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, Ondo; former Registrar of Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa; Former Registrar of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo and a Deputy Registrar at Ekiti State University before he was being honoured as the Onigegeara of Ibadan owing to his invaluable contributions to the enrichment of traditional political history and culture in Yorubaland, and his support for the progress and development of Ibadan land among others.
The honourary chieftaincy title of the Onigegeara of Ibadan will be conferred on Dr. Babatola during the 90th birthday anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, an event that is culminated with his One year coronation anniversary between 4th July and 13th July, 2025 at the New Olubadan Palace,Oke Aremo, Ibadan.
The honorary chieftaincy title of the Onigegeara of Ibadan on Dr. Jadesola Babatola is a divine manifestation of God’s bountiful blessing to the Ekiti born University administrator, professional historian and intellectual giant by a monarch of impeccable integrity in Yoruba land.
May this new traditional honourary title be a joyous celebration of life and service to Ibadan land and humanity by extension.
Congratulations to our dear Egbon and mentor, Dr. Jadesola Babatola, the new honourary chieftaincy title holder of the Onigegeara of Ibadan land – a cap that fits such a great honour from the largest and most populous city in West Africa.
Jadesola Babatola Onigegeara ti Ile Ibadan,
Omo Oloja Ora ule Ado,mo ki o
Ogbomi – gbaso,gbule Ebora Ufe
Lari f’okankan sile a s’ule Ado Ewi …
Oye a mori O ooo.
About The Author
