Come September 25, 2024, former governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja will be 80 years old. And this is authoritative. The Ibadan High Chief was born in Gambari, a village close to Ibadan on the 25th of September, 1944. Though there has not been any official statement from Chief Ladoja concerning his coming birthday but expectations are quite high as to the dimension the celebration may likely take.
Reasons for this are not far-fetched. Many believe 80 is a significant age which naturally calls for a mega celebration. It’s also an open secret that Ladoja is not an ‘Owanbe’ person. He lives an incredibly simple and moderate life. That kind of lifestyle has been a part and parcel of him over the years despite his rich status. He dresses mostly in Ankara.
In fact, it’s not known whether he has ever had an elaborate birthday celebration, not even as a sitting governor. What has been the tradition, however, is for his family, loyalists and associates to gather at his Ondo Street, Bodija residence to merry every year.
The first time Ladoja would have probably had a big birthday gig was last year when he clocked 79. But surprisingly, he called the celebration off even though a planning committee had already been set up by some of his close loyalists and the planning had reached a reasonable stage. The reason given for the cancellation by Ladoja was that he couldn’t be celebrating while many are struggling to feed. “To host a big birthday at this time when millions of Nigerians don’t have hope about their next meal will be insensitive as far as I am concerned.”
“I have therefore directed that no gathering of fanfare should be done in the name of celebrating my 79th birthday. I would like to observe the day praying to thank God for the gift of life and pray for the country and its leadership,” Ladoja had said.
So, many people are really looking forward to celebrating him specially on his 80th birthday. Of course, Chief Ladoja deserves all the honour and celebration at 80. He has every reason to roll out the drums and many things to thank God for. He’s aging gracefully. His children are doing wonderfully well in their various chosen careers.
At his age, Ladoja is still calling the shots politically. In fact, it won’t be out of place to say he has seen it all in life. He has done so well for himself in both private and public life. His great strides in business, politics and social circles over the years have earned him enormous respect in the society.
Ladoja is not only a successful businessman but also a political titan and an elder statesman. He has successfully groomed many politicians who are also doing well today. In fact, he’s a grassroot politician with a huge followership. And that explains why Ladoja has remained relevant in Oyo politics till today.
Ladoja, born to the family of Alhaji Olayiwola Yunusa Ladoja and Alhaja Alimotu Shadiya Atoke Ladoja, attended Ibadan Boys High School (1958–1963) and Olivet Baptist High School (1964–1965). He proceeded to the University of Liège, Belgium (1966–1972) where he bagged a degree in Chemical Engineering. Ladoja secured his first job with Total Nigeria, an oil company, where he worked for 13 years in various positions before venturing into private business in 1985.
His business interest cuts across Shipping, Manufacturing, Banking, Agriculture and Transportation. Ladoja was elected to the Country’s Senate in 1993 during the aborted Third Republic.
As he joins the league of octogenarians come September 25, Ladoja has risen to the topmost position of the Olubadan ladder from the Otun (Civil) line. He’s the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.
-Dare Adeniran
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