If you know the stories of the Olubadan Designate very well, the activities that shape the Ladoja of today, the behind the scenes events of his life, you will see that he is no ordinary person.
In our climes, if you say someone is beyond the ordinary, many of us would be tempted to conclude that the topic is centered on some supernatural or perhaps diabolic powers.
In the case of Ladoja, the events that moulded the man we know today as the Olubadan Designate, are fuelled by a propelling power that is beyond human understanding.
I have related with and worked in close contact with a lot of great men, yet, I have not found one man who is naturally loved by many like Ladoja.
There were occasions when I tried to understand what is so unique about the Olubadan Designate, to warrant such an amount of love poured on one man.
Is it that he did what none other has done as a Governor?
Is he a giver, who knows no boundaries like the late MKO Abiola?
No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t find a satisfying answer to the puzzles but I got my answers in a peculiar manner yesterday.
I had the privilege of visiting him in company of a Group which I belong to on Monday and while sitting down, facing him directly, a thought crept into my mind which helped the curiosities I have been carrying in my mind over the years.
The making of Adewolu Ladoja is not of man or craft, it is divine.
As I sat down in his humble resident at Bodija, the thoughts of the Biblical David and Joshua came to my consciousness out of nowhere.
You will think that in reference to David, I am about to talk about his famous encounter with Goliath.
No. It is about something deeper.
David, the Shepherd boy from Bethlehem, who later became the most powerful King Israel ever had is widely known through his encounter with Goliath but synonymous with uncommon Grace and favours from God.
The fact that David received uncommon Grace and favours from God is well captured in the Books of 1st and 2nd Samuel.
The interesting part of David’s story is the fact that he wasn’t a saint but yet, God was emphatic, through series of events, about the fact that He loved and favored him!
You will remember the story of Uriah and Bathsheba his wife.
Despite the fact that David sinned through Bathsheba and God was extremely angry with him, yet, amongst the sons of David, Solomon, Bathsheba’s son was his successor.
There were many occasions when God punished David for various sins but there was never a time He forsook him.
Some have said that David received favors from God because he was excellent in praising God.
For me, God never hid the fact that He will show mercy to whom he will and I think that best described the story of David.
Oba Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, from a careful observations of the events in his life, carries the Grace of David.
For Ladoja, God didn’t stop at David. It appears added the promise of Joshua.
Joshua 1 vs 5 readily came to my mind yesterday.
” There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee nor forsake thee” ( Joshua 1 vs 5).
I will avoid the details. The stories of Adewolu Ladoja is known to many but let us look at those stories and the promise of God for Joshua in the above Bible verse.
Adewolu Ladoja is a man of many wars.
Was he ever conquered?
He had his back to the walls on many occasions.
In fact, on occasions, he had his back momentarily on the ground.
Yet, just when you thought it was over, by divine providence, he always bounced back.
He was bruised, battered, betrayed and humiliated.
Yet, never conquered.
For students of history, the events in the life of the Olubadan Designate provide a rich discourse.
When historians record those events, they most definitely will not look at him from the deeper angle of divine providence but will focus on his heroics.
The truth you can never remove from Ladoja is the fact that he carries a Grace which is beyond human understanding.
When he was removed as Governor by the Oyo state House of Assembly, it was supposed to mark his political extinction but he bounced back.
He failed to come back as Governor for a second term but he became a Kingmaker!
He faced obstacles on his way to the throne, yet, he conquered all.
Through divine Grace, he is victorious in battles seen and unseen.
You can not underestimate his attributes and endowments as a man.
Ladoja is very simple, pragmatic, intelligent, friendly and highly principled but those positive attributes met with divine providence and they forged a strong personality.
He is a blend of a strong personality blessed with divine favor.
Ladoja was destined for greatness as a politician and as King, he is certain to be greater.
As King, may God grant him the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Moses and the age of Methuselah.
Sola Abegunde.
