Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State of Nigeria has graciously approved the promotion of the Otun Iyalode of Ibadanland, High Chief Theresa Laduntan Oyekanmi, to Iyalode of Ibadanland, sequel to the statutory recommendation of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Alayeluwa Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 and the Olubadan-In-Council. She thus becomes the 14th Iyalode of Ibadanland.
86-year old Iyalode Laduntan Oyekanmi, a scion of the Ladapo Family of Abebi Area and Balogun Ibikunle Family of Ayeye Area, Ibadan,trained as a nurse in England in the 1960s, and got married to Prince(Barrister) ‘Diti Oyekanmi, from the Royal Matanmi Family of Osogbo, Osun State of Nigeria, on12th August,1961. She retired as a Matron at the University College Hospital(UCH)Ibadan, Oyo State, after a meritorious service.
Her husband, Prince Oyekanmi was a Commissioner in the 1970s in the former Western State of Nigeria Cabinet of a former Military Governor of the State, Colonel David M.Jemibewon, now a retired Major-General.
The Oyekanmis are blessed with adorable children and grandchildren, among whom are Barrister (Mrs) Folasade Adebayo, wife of Ekiti State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Sola Adebayo, Barrister Jide Oyekanmi and Architect Bankole Oyekanmi.
The mother of Prince Oyekanmi,my uncle,the late Alhaja Sinatu Bandele Oyekanmi, hailed from the Oyetunji Olundegun Chieftaincy Family of Ile Oye,SW2/486, Isale ‘Jebu, Ibadan,of which Mogaji I was installed on the 21st November 1994, by the 37th Olubadan of Ibadanland, the late Alayeluwa Oba Emmanuel Adegboyega Adeyemo, Operinde 1.
44 years ago, on 17th October 1975, the new Iyalode of Ibadanland was installed Bada Iyalode of Ibadanland, by the 33rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, the late Alayeluwa Oba Shitu Akintola, Oyetunde 11(1972 to 1976).
Every incumbent Iyalode of Ibadanland is the Matron of OACI.
My humble self, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Chairman of the 2019 Omo Ajorosun Day Planning Committee is on the left of the photograph.For the record, I was the Coordinator of Iyalode Oyekanmi’s installation as Bada Iyalode, 44 years ago, as I am the Coordinator of her installation as the 14th Iyalode of Ibadanland.
