The Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo state, Oba Samuel Odulana, will confer honorary chieftaincy titles on three prominent Nigerians to mark his centenary.
Chief Lekan Alabi, the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee for the Olubadan Centenary Birthday, made the disclosure at a news conference on Thursday in Ibadan.
Alabi said the recipients are the Senate President, Senator David Mark; Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; and America-based Historian, Prof. Toyin Falola.
The committee chairman said that apart from making their marks in their respective areas of endeavours, the recipients had also contributed to the development of the ancient town of Ibadan.
He noted that Soyinka and the Mark were to receive the honour when the Olubadan celebrated his 99th birthday, but could not because they were out of the country.
Alabi said: “The people of Ibadan decided to celebrate the monarch’s centenary in a big way because the age expectancy in Nigeria is 42 years, going by UNESCO figure.
“It is, therefore, a big honour that the Olubadan lives to see his 100th birthday.”
He then urged the media to support the one-week activities, which would commence on April 13, with the unveiling of a local drama on the Olubadan and a thanksgiving service on April 14.
There would be a symposium on: “Ageing, Longevity and Grace of God,” to be moderated by Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe on April 15.
