A prominent engineer, philanthropist and Oyo State political leader, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao, widely known as Allow Alao, has joined well-wishers around the world in congratulating His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, on his 82nd birthday and first anniversary on the throne.
Oba Ladoja was born on September 25, 1944, in Gambari Village, Ibadan, and turns 82 today, Thursday, September 25, 2026. The occasion is doubly significant, as it also marks one year since his historic ascension to the throne of his forebears. The monarch has chosen a low-key celebration and is currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia performing Umrah in thanksgiving to Almighty Allah.
In a congratulatory message he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, Engr. Allow Alao described Oba Ladoja as an extraordinary monarch and a rare gift to Ibadanland, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
Alao said the Olubadan’s life is a lesson in patience, resilience, wisdom and destiny, recalling how the former Senator, former Governor of Oyo State, successful chemical engineer trained at the University of Liège in Belgium, and accomplished businessman waited and rose through 34 years on the Olubadan chieftaincy ladder to become the Olubadan.
“On behalf of myself, my family and the entire Allow Alao Foundation, I heartily felicitate with our father, our pride, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on his 82nd birthday and first anniversary as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Kabiyesi’s journey from Gambari to Belgium as a chemical engineer, to Total Nigeria, to the Senate in 1992, to Agodi Government House as Governor, and now to the ancient throne at Mapo, is divinely ordained. You are an uncommon Olubadan, a monarch with an engineer’s precision, a businessman’s foresight and a statesman’s wisdom,” Alao stated.
The Oyo-born engineer particularly praised the developmental strides recorded in just one year of Oba Ladoja’s reign, including facilitating the over N296 billion reconstruction and dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode road and securing approval for the channelisation of the Kudeti River for flood control in Ibadan. Both projects, he noted, were facilitated through the monarch’s long-standing relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Alao, Oba Ladoja has shown that royalty is not merely about wearing a crown but about using influence for the benefit of the people.
“Within 12 months on the throne, Baba has turned his reign into rewards for Ibadanland. This is leadership. This is royalty with responsibility. Ibadan is blessed to have you at this time.”
Engr. Alao prayed for the monarch’s continued good health, sound mind and longevity.
“I pray Almighty Allah (SWT) continues to bless Your Imperial Majesty with robust health, uncommon wisdom, strength, peace and long life. May your reign continue to bring unprecedented unity, peace, progress and prosperity to Ibadanland, Oyo State and Yorubaland. May your legacy endure for generations.
Long Live the Olubadan of Ibadanland!”Tagged Allow Alao, Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Olubadan, Oyedele Alao