On Friday, praise singers and drummers crowded into the home of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan-designate and Balogun of Ibadanland.
Several palace sources claim that Olakulehin, who is next in line for the throne, will be crowned as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, subject to the state governor Seyi Makinde’s approval.
This occurred just 48 hours after Oba Lekan Balogun, 42nd Olubadan, passed away on Thursday following a brief illness.Oba Balogun passed away at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, according to a statement issued by Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, confirming the monarch’s passing.
The late monarch had a two-year reign after being born on October 18, 1942.Several palace sources claim that Olakulehin, the head of the Balogun line, is from Ita Baale in the Ibadan North East Local Government.
During the Third Republic, he served in the House of Representatives.It was anticipated that the palace drummers would relocate from Alli-Iwo to Oba Olakulehin’s Ita Baale Palace, marking his figurative coronation.In the meantime, several state governors, including President Bola Tinubu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, paid respects to the late Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.Around 430 p.m. on Friday, supporters gathered at the late Olubadan’s ancestral home in Aliiwo to bury his remains.The family burial site at Aliiwo in the state’s Ibadan North Local Government Area was visited by other government employees under the direction of Bayo Lawal, the deputy governor of the state.
Dignitaries at the burial ceremony include the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Niyi Ajewole; former CCII President-General, Bayo Ayero; Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Daud Makanjuola; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, and a host of others.
Earlier, there was a lying-in-state at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, from 12 pm to 1 pm before the remains of the late monarch moved to Aliiwo for burial, where prayers were said to God to repose his soul.The road leading to the ancestral home from Mapo was blocked while all markets along the route were also closed down as a sign of honour to give him last respect.
Adequate security personnel were deployed to strategic locations within the area to maintain orderliness.Mourning the monarch, Tinubu said he received the news of the passing of the Olubadan with a deep sense of grief.This was contained in a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday.
The President commiserated with the family of Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, Olubadan-in-Council, Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland over the loss.Tinubu mourned the Olubadan and celebrated the Oba’s remarkable life of service to his people, state, and the nation.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity.“He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity.
“His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country.”Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president, added that people were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland’s passing.
According to Obasanjo, the news of the Olubadan’s “sudden” death struck him like a bad dream.The late monarch left behind admirable traits that made him stand out, including an unblemished record of incorruptible leadership, according to a statement made public by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi. Obasanjo is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, attending the 11th Global Baku Forum.
The former president asserted that his unique qualities set him apart and that, in addition to an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, he left behind a legacy of integrity, hard work, and unwavering dedication to the public good.He continued, saying, “He showed that politics was a platform for faithful service rather than mindless enrichment.”Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president, also expressed sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
In a press release issued on Friday by his media office, Atiku called the late Oba Lekan Balogun a cherished friend and a true patriot.Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, expressed his condolences to the Ibadan family and people on the loss of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.He declared that the late Oba Balogun’s unwavering legacy would be his service to the people of Oyo State, Ibadanland, and Nigeria overall.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his condolences in a message sent on Friday by his Special Advisor for Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, stating that the traditional institution in Oyo State and the people of Ibadan had suffered a great loss with Oba Balogun’s passing.
Sanwo-Olu also sent his condolences to Engr. Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, regarding the death of Oba Balogun, who passed away on Thursday at the University College Teaching Hospital in Ibadan at the age of 81.
“I commiserate with my brother, the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the people of the ancient city of Ibadan, the traditional council, the deceased family, friends, and political associates on the transition of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his forebears on Thursday,” he said on behalf of the government and people of Lagos.Similarly, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State government and people, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Ododo expressed shock at the passing of the late Olubadan, who was only marking his second anniversary on the throne of his forefathers this week, in a condolence message signed by the Special Adviser on Media and addressed to Governor Ismaila Isah.