The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, has described The Sun Awards as a morale booster for continuous service to humanity. Speaking at his palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, after receiving a nomination letter for The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award 2025, the first-class traditional ruler expressed gratitude to the Board of Editors of The Sun Publishing Limited for recognizing his decades of impact on society.
Ladoja, a chemical engineer, business tycoon, former senator, former governor, and now the paramount ruler of Ibadanland, thanked the Board of Editors of The Sun for his nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award and for coming to see him.
Reflecting on the recognition based on his positive impact on the society, the Olubadan stated: “We are doing this because we believe in it. We are not forced to do it. Some of the politicians are not forced politicians because we are not looking for votes.
“We take it as we want to serve. And I always say that, if you are a politician, if you have an idea, and you are complaining that Nigeria is not what you expect it to be, why don’t you come in? Throw your cup in the drink, and then you give yourself an opportunity to see whether you can do better than others.
“I have had a good life before I joined politics. In fact, I found the position of an Olubadan more difficult than that of a governor. People believe that they have a right to you. Anything that happens in their house, you are their father. Nearly all demonstrations in Ibadan start from my house.
“I look at it as a level of service. But what else do I want to do? And so, for you people to have recognised that, after 70, we deserve some recognition, I want to thank you very much.
“The only thing I can do is to say, I will continue to give service. In fact, there was an occasion when I said, Look, if this Olubadan is not going to come in time, why can’t I be a councillor in my ward? I would take my walking stick, walk around the ward. This gutter is not flowing. Chairman of the council, what is happening? This gutter in this place is not flowing. This road is being destroyed, why are you people in this place? Why are you destroying your road? So, that I would not be unemployed.
“Now, I am not unemployed because the government has come. So I still see myself as an employee. I am not only an employee, an employee that has no tenure. I cannot be president, and I cannot be asked to go. So, I have got a lifetime job, just as I am having a lifetime achievement. It is also a lifetime job. And I hope that I will be able to make a difference.”
Ladoja promised to attend the award presentation that will be officially done on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Earlier in his address, the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Ukeh, spoke eloquently on why Ladoja has been nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is reserved for men and women above 70 years and that have impacted positively on humanity.
He described the selection of Ladoja for the award as the outcome of a rigorous process that lasted several weeks of debate and scrutiny by The Sun Board of Editors.
The award, according to him, is based on merit and predicated on the reasons, including his uncommon resilience and doggedness.
Ukeh stated: “In many fields, you have left your footprints of success, being a rare breed of chemical engineer, shrewd businessman, savvy politician, and now a royal father in one of the most important domains in Nigeria.
“In the fullness of time, you became the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on September 26, 2025, just a day after your 81st birthday.
“You have one of the most eventful and rich political histories among your class, having served as Governor of Oyo State, twice within one term – from 2003 to 2006 and from 2006 to 2007. That complexity came as a result of your impeachment on January 12, 2006, and heroic return to the same office on November 11, the same year.
“From Ibadan Boys High School (1958 to 1963) to Olivet Baptist High School for your HSC, to the University of Liège in Belgium, where you earned a degree in Chemical Engineering, you prepared yourself for a multifaceted career.
“For 13 years, you distinguished yourself as a staff of Total Nigeria in different capacities. Thereafter, you entered into private business in 1985 and later expanded your business interests to shipping, manufacturing, banking, agriculture, and transportation, among others. And in all, you excelled.
“In many of the battles you have fought, you conquered and you are still conquering. You dare whoever has the guts to challenge you. Your legacies are novel and you are an unrepentant stickler to your guns and excellence.
“For these reasons and many others, The Sun Board of Editors chose Your Majesty as winner of The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.
“The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award is given to that man or woman who is 70 years and above, and has, in all his or her life, contributed much towards the development of the country.
“The formal presentation of the award will be held at The Sun Awards 2025 ceremony scheduled for Lagos on January 31, 2026. We invite Your Majesty to come with your friends, family members, and well-wishers for the night of celebration.
