Olubadan: Tinubu, Obasanjo, Adeleke, AbdulRasaq, Aiyedatiwa, Others Pay Their Respect

Eminent Nigerians yesterday paid glowing tribute to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun who joined his ancestors Thursday night even as Palace drummers who were with the late Oba Balogun 24 hours of the day have relocated to Ita Baale, the family residence of ?ba Olakulehin announcing him as the next to assume the throne.

Olubadan lived life of service to his people — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu in a statement issued by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale,said while he mourns the Olubadan, he also celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state, and the nation. According to the president, “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,” he said.

He was a foremost nationalist, custodian of cultural, traditional values — Obasanjo

In his tribute, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described late Olubadan as a foremost nationalist, patriot and custodian of cultural and traditional values who left enviable qualities which clearly stood him out including an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good.

Obasanjo, in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi said the late Olubadan’s contributions to the political, social and economic life of Ibadan, Oyo State, Western Region and, indeed, Nigeria will remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who had interacted with him in politics and in social-economic life.

Obasanjo added that, “A decent and amiable gentleman, he commanded the respect and admiration of his peers and associates. Like most great leaders, he was all things to all men. To his family, he was a tower of strength and a committed provider; to his community of Ibadan, he was an early model in national leadership; to his Yoruba kinsmen, he was a worthy ambassador of all things noble about them; and to the rest of Nigeria, he was a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self-actualisation. He demonstrated that politics was an avenue not for mindless enrichment, but for rendering faithful service. He will be remembered as a foremost nationalist, patriot and custodian of our cultural and traditional values, who gave his best while in the service of the nation with distinction and commitment to the high ideals of the public service particularly during his service as the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Oba Balogun’s reign peaceful — Adeleke

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state in his own tribute said the late Olubadan’s reign “will be missed for the peace and tranquility witnessed in Ibadan”. In a condolence message issued by the governor’s spokesperson Olawale Rasheed on Friday, he said, Oba Balogun was a highly respected monarch, who served the people of Ibadan with passion and honour, noting that his exit to the great beyond will leave a void for Ibadan he served for years to come.

“Oba Balogun was a great source of inspiration in impactful leadership, and his demise means we’re denied the immense benefits of the quality of his insights, wise counsels, and unrestrained passion for the physical growth of Ibadanland and its people. It is my prayer that Eledumare comforts everyone touched by this huge loss and as Yoruba culture infers, may Oba Balogun rest well as he joins his forebears”, the statement reads.

Olubadan’s place in history etched in gold — Gov AbdulRasaq

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has also condoled his Oyo state counterpart, Seyi Makinde and the people of Ibadan on the death of the late Olubadan. Governor AbdulRasaq, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye said, “the late Olubadan was a man whose place in history is already etched in gold because of not just his quality royal leadership to his people but also for his service to the country as a senator of the Federal Republic”

Olubadan’s death, monumental loss- Says Aiyedatiwa

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said, “the passing of ?ba Lekan Balogun after two years on the throne is a monumental loss that can only be imagined. The late monarch was a silent achiever and lover of peace. Within a short period of time, Oba Balogun ensured communal peace and stability while deploying his rich experience in the traditional leadership of Ibadan.

Late Olubadan served Ibadan meritoriously — Oluwo

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi has also described the death of Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun Ali as a monumental loss to traditional institution. While commiserating with Balogun-Ali Iwo family of Ibadan over the loss, he described the late monarch as an asset who served Ibadan meritoriously. In a condolence message issued by his media aide, Alli Ibraheem on Friday, he said the monarch gave his best to his community and the country before his demise.

His short reign monumental — Emir of Ilorin

Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari in a statement by his Spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, described the short reign of Oba Balogun as monumental and historic to the people of the ancient city of Ibadan and humanity in general. The monarch commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde, government and people of Oyo State, the Olubadan-In-Council, immediate and extended family members of the deceased stressing that “the entire members of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council are with you in spirit and prayers at this critical period of grieve.”

Yoruba has lost a prominent monarch — Gani Adams

The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Friday, expressed shock over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, describing the death as a great loss to Yorubaland.

Reacting to the death of the monarch, Adams in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, said the death of the late Olubadan robbed Yoruba land of one of its illustrious sons and a prominent monarch, whose transformational ideals was indelible.

The Yoruba generalissimo said: “This is a great loss to Yorubaland and to the great people of Ibadan and Oyo state in general. “Kabiesi celebrated his second anniversary on the throne last week and death came knocking yesterday barely a week after. It was a sad reminder of the fact that life itself is transitory. The late Olubadan’s life had been full of remarkable achievements, and his two year- ascendancy on the throne was even the best of years for the people of Ibadan in terms of the quality of development and transformation of Ibadan and the adjoining towns in Oyo State.

“In his life,the late Olubadan did well by bringing the people of Ibadan together as one big family and he restored the dignity of the traditional institution in Ibadan with his influence and exposures.
“Kabiesi’s unequal memories will continue to resonate as he lived not only for the people of Ibadan, but for humanity and that would be one of his legacies that the revered Oba would be remembered for”.

Meanwhile, sympathisers thronged late Oba Balogun’s residence yesterday as drummers, dancers rejoiced with next Olubadan, Oba Owolabi. At the Alarere residence, clusters of people were seen in the expansive compound discussing the sudden death of the monarch.

Ibadan residents shift attention to Oba Owolabi Olakulehin’s residence

According to the linear arrangement to the throne of Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is the next in hierarchy to become the next Olubadan. There are two lines to the Olubadan stool, the Olubadan line and Balogun line. Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who is the current Balogun of Ibadanland, is the head of the military line(Balogun) of the Olubadan.

Palace drummers who were with the late Oba Balogun 24 hours of the day have relocated to Ita Baale, the family residence of Iba Olakulehin announcing him as the next to assume the throne.

As it is the tradition of the ancient city, while mourners wear pensive and mourning look at the palace of late Olubadan, well wishers were having a nice time. When Vanguard visited the place, drummers and dancers were enjoying the moment singing it was their turn to produce the next Olubadan.

His enthronement is subject to the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Olubadan in Council visit Olubadan

As the burial of late Oba Olalekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan was underway yesterday, members of the Olubadan in Council visited the Alalubosa residence of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin to discuss the process leading to the enthronement of the 43rd Olubadan. Vanguard observed that the delegation of the Ibadan kingmakers was led by the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja who doubles as the Otun Olubadan. Other members of the council who visited Oba Olakulehin were Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Amidu Ajibade and Oba Adebayo Akande.