By Ola Ajayi

Ibadan—AS the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Adetunji  will be installed today, Friday, a heated argument has ensued between the Oyo State Government and a body which claims to be an advisory committee to the Olubadan-designate over the sponsorship of the coronation ceremony. This came just as the  state government declared a public holiday in the state as a mark of honour for the monarch.

While the state government recognises the committee led by High Chief Lekan Balogun, the anonymous group is claiming the sponsorship, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to the governor, Mr. Yomi Layinka has said there is no corporate organisation sponsoring the epoch-making event. Vanguard  gathered that some of the posters, leaflets and bill boards bearing names of some corporate organisations had been destroyed because they were not channelled through the appropriate quarters.

The unrecognised committee was said to have sealed agreement with some corporate organisations without the approval of the state government.’ While making the clarification yesterday, Layinka noted that the coronation committee which comprises representatives from the Olubadan-in-council; Iyalode line and Olubadan designate’s younger brother, Alhaji Ambali Adetunji, is the only recognized body vested with the preparation for the coronation.

Layinka, who heads the Media sub-committee for the coronation, said that top government officials, led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ismael Olalekan Alli, are also on the committee. As at Thursday, the governor’s aide said that the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency, which is responsible for giving approvals for hoardings, had not received any application from any corporate organisation to display hoardings in any part of the city in respect of the coronation.

He said, “We need to make a categorical statement that no organization is mandated or authorized to be branded as sponsors of the Olubadan inauguration ceremony. No sponsor has been accredited to manage or brand the event surrounding the coronation ceremony of Olubadan of Ibadan scheduled for theMarch 4, 2016. “We understand that a purported advisory group to the Olubadan designate has been soliciting supports and collaborating with some individuals to raise funds and seek branding and marketing opportunities surrounding the event.

“It should be noted that there is no such accreditation from the recognized coronation committee led by High Chief Lekan Balogun and other High Chiefs and government representatives. But, the committee will still be willing to do business with them if they follow due process.” Meantime, the government is a statement signed by Mr. Soji Eniade, Head of Service, the governor urged all civil and public servants in the state, market men and women, artisans and other members of the public to massively turn out at the venue of the ceremony to witness the great and epoch making event.

The statement reads “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved that Friday, 4th March, 2016 be declared a public holiday in the State. The holiday is given to commemorate the coronation of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji who would be installed at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on the same day

“His Excellency, the governor has therefore urged all civil/public servants in the State, market men and women, artisans and other members of the public to massively turn out at the venue of the ceremony by 9.00am on the day to witness the great and epoch making event”, the statement reads in part