Olubadan Joins Ancestors at 81

Following a brief illness, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has joined his ancestors.

At the age of 81, he reunited with his ancestors.The late monarch was reportedly taken to the hospital on Wednesday morning after spending the entire Tuesday indoors due to a mild case of malaria. However, on Monday, he was reported to be in good health and even received a few congratulations from guests on his second anniversary.

The late monarch Oladele Ogunsola’s personal assistant, Baba-Kekere Olubadan, and his younger brother, Dr. Kola Balogun, made this announcement in a statement.In the statement, Dr. Balogun said that, although previously informed verbally, State Governor Seyi Makinde would receive formal notification early in the morning.

He also revealed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his ancestral home in Aliiwo by 4:00 pm on Friday in accordance with Islamic rites.The late Olubadan was the first and most educated person to become an Ibadan monarch.

He was a successful businessman, a former senator, a former member of the management team at Shell British Petroleum, a former university lecturer, and a former candidate for governor of the now-defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP).

He also held a Ph.D. from Britain.The Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he chaired last Saturday and oversaw the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was his final official engagement.

On Tuesday, however, he gave Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the Ekerin Olubadan, the order to form a small committee to discuss the decision made last Friday regarding Ibadan Zone’s place in the newly proposed Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The Olubadan Advisory Council, chaired by Otun Olubadan and former Oyo State governor High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, had earlier on Thursday ratified the small committee’s decision.

It was scheduled to be presented to the late Oba Balogun for signature on Friday morning in order to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later that day.The late Olubadan’s spouses, kids, and grandchildren survive him.

Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late on Thursday night at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, was described as a great achiever and the embodiment of royal excellence who left a lasting impression on Ibadanland in the little over two years of his reign, according to a statement released by Governor Makinde announcing the monarch’s passage.

Invoking God to grant the departed monarch’s soul repose, he offered his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State.

“With complete surrender to the will of God, I announce our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, passing unto glory,” declared Makinde.”Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors; a powerful Iroko has fallen.””Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and accomplished Olubadan in Kabiyesi who left his mark on history and accomplished a great deal in a short period of time.

“I offer my condolences to the Oba Dr. Balogun’s immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland on behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State.”My prayer is that God gives our late monarch’s soul peace.”