New Olubadan: Oyo Markets, Roads To Be Shut Today For Balogun’s Coronation As Olubadan
Oyo State Government has announced it will close down major roads in Ibadan from 12 midnight on Friday, as markets will also be shut in honour of Senator Lekan Balogun (formerly Otun Olubadan) who will be installed as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan on Friday (today).
In a travel advisory issued on Thursday, Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency disclosed that four major roads would be closed to traffic to prevent gridlock because of the influx of visitors who are expected to be part of the history-making event.
According to the message: “This is to inform the general public of traffic diversions of the under-listed routes leading to the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan, occasioned by the official installation of the 42nd paramount ruler and king of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Friday, March 11, 2022.
“The routes which shall be shut by 12am of Thursday, March and reopened 12pm on Saturday, March 12, 2022 include: Beere Junction inward Mapo Hall; Born Photo Junction inward Oja’ba; Idi-Arere Junction inward Oja’ba and Itamerin Junction inward Mapo Hall.
“While OYRTMA men and officers, in conjunction with other sister security agencies have been adequately mobilised to direct the flow of traffic and ensure the safety of road users, the authority has however provided alternative routes to vehicles intending to ply the barricaded regions.”
Similarly, in order to ensure free flow of traffic, Alhaji Yekeni Oladapo, the Babaloja General of Oyo State notified traders that all markets in Ibadan would be shut in honour of the new Olubadan.
According to the statement credited to him: “The Babaloja General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Oladapo, after arising from a meeting on Wednesday, stated that all markets in Ibadan metropolis will be closed on Friday, March 11, 2022 in honour of the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun Ali-Okunmade II.
“Market leaders in all the markets should open the markets for business by the end of Jumat service when all major activities would have ended.”