Indigenes of Ibadan, residents and well-wishers have started trooping in their hundreds to Mapo Hall, venue of the installation ceremony of Oba Olalekan Balogun, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Mr Balogun will be installed as the Ibadan monarch on Friday (today).

Politicians and captains of industry across the world are expected to grace the occasion.

Many associations, in different attire, were seen within and outside Mapo Hall, dancing to indigenous Ibadan songs.

Meanwhile, no fewer than four Yoruba musicians, including an Ibadan-based Fuji musician, have set up stages to entertain dignitaries and well-wishers at the occasion.

The Ali-Iwo Compound of the new Olubadan, was a beehive of ceremonial activities, as women sang praises of the Ali-Iwo family.

Traditional drummers and native praise-singers, with scores of well-wishers, were sighted at different locations on Oje-Beere-Oja-Oba Road.

There was heavy deployment of security operatives to some strategic locations, especially the roads leading to Mapo Hall. The police, civil defence and Amotekun operatives were on the ground to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Also, officers of the Oyo State Fire Service were seen at the venue.
Major roads leading to Mapo Hall were blocked, while commuters had to trek some distance to get to their destination or venue of the ceremony.

(NAN)