Greatness, in its truest form, is not measured by wealth, high office, or the applause of men, but by steadfastness of character, fidelity to principle, and courage in defence of truth. His Excellency, Senator, Engineer Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, FNSE, Arusa the First, embodies these timeless virtues. His journey, from the classrooms of Ibadan to the Senate Chamber, from the Governor’s Lodge to exile for conscience, and now to the ancient throne of Ibadanland, is a narrative of enduring virtue.
Born and bred in Ibadan in 1944. He had his early education at Ibadan Boys High School from 1958 to 1963, followed by a year at Olivet Baptist High School in 1964, revealed a young man of precocious intellect and discipline.Awarded a prestigious Western Region Scholarship, he proceeded to the University of Liège, Belgium, where, from 1966 to 1972, he undertook the demanding study of Chemical Engineering.That training, in the rigorous traditions of European scholarship, instilled in him scientific clarity and practical discipline, qualities that have defined his professional and political career.
Our paths crossed in the early 1980s at Total Nigeria Limited.At the time, he was Engineering Manager, while I was a young clerk.Yet, even in that asymmetry of status,I saw in him what many later recognised, a man of rare humility, intellectual acumen and instinctive respect for others. Where others wore rank like armour, he carried knowledge lightly and authority with grace.His professional journey blossomed into entrepreneurship through Multiplex Shipping and Trading Enterprises Ltd, established in 1981 and still flourishing.His acumen spanned shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, banking, and transportation.He later served as an Executive Director of Standard Trust Bank Nigeria Limited in 2000 and an Executive Producer of Mainframe Films, leaving his mark in both commerce and culture.
In the political arena, he proved equally accomplished. Elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1992 during the ill-fated Third Republic, he was a forthright voice for his people. A decade later, the people of Oyo State called him to serve as Governor in May 2003. His tenure was marked by vision and reforms, yet marred by the turbulence of Nigerian politics. Impeached in January 2006, he was vindicated by the courts and reinstated in December of the same year, revealing both the contradictions of our democracy and his unyielding spirit.
History will also remember his courageous stand during Nigeria’s darkest hour: the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election. Where many equivocated, he stood firmly for justice and democracy, a stance that forced him into brief exile under General Abacha’s military dictatorship. It was a perilous choice, but he never compromised principle for comfort. His courage recalls Aristotle’s words: “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” In his defiance, he embodied the Latin maxim, Fortes fortuna adiuvat- fortune favours the brave.
The road to royalty has been deliberate and dignified. In 1980, he became Mogaji Arusa of Isale-Osi, and by 1993, he was elevated to Jagun Olubadan. In 2024, he rose to Otun Olubadan, and by August 2025, destiny named him Olubadan-designate. On 26 September 2025, he ascends the throne as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Arusa the First. Let it be recorded that His Majesty is the first former Governor in Nigeria’s history to be crowned a First Class Oba. This fusion of political statesmanship and traditional authority marks a watershed in our national story, symbolising the continuity of Yoruba tradition and the evolution of Nigerian governance.
As President Bola Tinubu graces this coronation, let it be said with all emphasis that Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja richly deserves the national honour of CFR. Long has he been qualified, carrying his worth in silence and service without ever lobbying or scheming for recognition.I need not remind Mr President that your office and Oba Ladoja’s were a mere two minutes’ trek apart on Broad Street, Lagos; that both were senators; and that both shared the experience of exile.
He who once led engineering operations at Total Nigeria Limited, braved the tempests of Nigerian politics, and endured exile for principle now ascends a throne steeped in centuries of Yoruba history. His reign promises to blend modern vision with traditional wisdom, an era where the palace shall be a seat of mediation, progress, and leadership.For those who knew him in humbler times, this coronation is not only a matter of tradition but also of vindication. It affirms that integrity, though tested, is never extinguished, and that those who walk with honour will ultimately be welcomed by history.
Kabiyesi, Arusa the First, ascends not just as monarch of Ibadanland, but as a statesman whose life bridges politics, commerce and royalty. His reign shall be a testament to Ibadan’s greatness and a beacon for Nigeria’s democracy. Long may he reign in peace, prosperity and wisdom.
-Aduwo is the general secretary, Yoruba Heritage Forum
