• Oba Owolabi Olakulehin to step in subject to govt approval

Tributes poured in from across Yorubaland yesterday in honour of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, whose death was announced yesterday by the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr. Kola Balogun through a statement in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

The late monarch, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 on Thursday night at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after a brief illness.

His remains were laid to rest yesterday afternoon at his Aliwo ancestral family home.
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere, led Muslim faithful to pray for the late monarch before he was interned.

Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who led the government delegation to the burial; Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Daud Akinola, younger brother of the deceased, Kola Balogun, among others.

The late Olubadan was the first well educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch. He was a British trained PhD holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), former Senator and a successful businessman.

Meanwhile, 84-year-old Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is to step in as the new Olubadan of Ibadan. He will be crowned subject to the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde.

From what transpired yesterday, the incumbent administration appears to have resolved the crisis that surrounded the succession line of the Olubadan when the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso1, died in January 2022.

Recall that it took almost three months before the late Oba Balogun was crowned on March 11, 2022, when his predecessor passed on in January 2022. That was the first time such a long delay happened in the succession line of Olubadan.

Allaying the possibilities of a reoccurrence of the 2022 controversies, members of the Olubadan Council visited the Alalubosa residence of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin to discuss the process that would lead to the enthronement of the 43rd Olubadan.

The delegation of the Ibadan kingmakers was led by former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who doubles as the Otun Olubadan.
Other members of the council who visited Oba Olakulehin are Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Amidu Ajibade and Oba Adebayo Akande.

The deputy governor, who described the late Olubadan as a “cerebral monarch,” expressed hope for a seamless transition so as to uphold the late monarch’s legacy.

Among those who expressed grief over the passing of the late Oba Balogun was his younger brother, Kola, who expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden death of the revered monarch.
Balogun recounted their recent lively conversation just days before he passed on, noting the absence of any indication of imminent departure.

“The death of my brother was not only shocking; I received the news with absolute disbelief because here was a man whom I was with three days ago and had our usual lively chat and there was no sign of leaving any moment from there and when it happened, because we can’t query God, we gave all glory to God,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the late Oba Balogun as “an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity.”

In a tribute issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, yesterday, President Tinubu mourned the late Olubadan, yet celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state and the nation.

The President condoled with the family of the deceased, the government of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State over the gaping loss.

Extolling the late monarch, the President said: “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.”

President Tinubu urged all who are mourning to find solace in the immortal legacies of the late Olubadan, stating that he lives eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence.

The President prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning the sad loss.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has also commiserated with the family and people of Ibadan over the passing of Oba Balogun.

He said the late Oba’s service to the people of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole would remain his enduring legacy.

Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message, yesterday, described Oba Balogun’s death as a great loss to the people of Ibadan and the traditional institution in Oyo State.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed his condolence to the state governor, urging the family, friends and associates of the deceased as well as the entire people of Ibadan, whose interests the late monarch represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has also commiserated with the people of Ibadan as well as the government of Oyo State over the demise of Oba Balogun.
Aiyedatiwa, who described the deceased monarch as a silent achiever, stated that the short period he spent on the throne made Ibadan to experience growth and stability.

The governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, prayed for the repose of the soul of the revered first class monarch.

On his part, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday described the death of Oba Balogun as a personal loss to him, the people of Ibadan land, Oyo State and Nigeria.

In a condolence message made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), sons and daughters of Ibadanland, immediate family of Oba Balogun, and the Ali-Iwo compound of Ibadan.

Adelabu stated that since Oba Balogun mounted the throne of his forefathers, he had worked with relevant stakeholders including the State Government, CCII and other well meaning Nigerians to facilitate meaningful development in Ibadanland.

The Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, also expressed shock over the death of Oba Balogun.

He described the death of the monarch as a great loss to Yorubaland.

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

The Yoruba generalissimo said the time of his ascendency to the throne of his forebears was short but he made remarkable impacts within that short period of time.
Iba Adams also pointed out that the late Olubadan was an agent of positive change in Ibadan and its environs, saying the late monarch would be remembered for his great exploits and transformational ideals.

He condoled with the Oyo State governor, the immediate family of the late monarch and sons and daughters of Ibadan.

The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, described the death of the late Olubadan as a monumental loss to the traditional institution most especially in Yorubaland.

Oba Akanbi commiserated with the Balogun Ali-Iwo family of Ibadan and entire Ibadanland over the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun.

In a condolence statement released by Oluwo through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, he described the deceased as an asset who served Ibadanland and Nigeria meritoriously.
Yoruba self-determination activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, yesterday said the legacies of the late Oba Balogun in Nigerian politics and the development of Ibadan would be enduring.

He noted that his reign for just two years on the throne of his forefathers attracted more socio-economic growth to his domain and further drew global attention to Ibadan as the largest city in West Africa, South of the Sahara.
“His reign for only two years witnessed more economic and infrastructural developments of Ibadanland, thus drawing more significant attention to the historical city in the global space. His death came at a time when his wealth of experience and management capability are needed most in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole,” the statement noted.

In a condolence message, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC- Oyo South), also expressed profound shock and sorrow over the demise of Oba Balogun.

The lawmaker, in a statement, described the passing of Oba Balogun as a monumental loss not only for the people of Ibadan, but also for the entire state.
Alli, the Maye Balogun of Ibadanland, expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the family, friends, as well as subjects of the late Olubadan, who ascended the throne just two years ago.

He emphasised the enduring impact of his leadership and the indelible mark he left on the cultural tapestry of Ibadan, saying Balogun’s passing has left a void in the hearts of many.
The Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has also mourned the death of Oba Balogun.

The Speaker in a condolence message said the late Olubadan lived a great and fulfilled life.

“This is another loss not only to Ibadanland but to Oyo State in general. We lost a great king and a special one at that. Late Oba Sen. Lekan will be greatly missed by every one of us. Baba’s two years reign was peaceful and eventful,” he said.

President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigene, CCII, Sulaimon Ajewole, described the reign of Oba Balogun as short but full of accomplishments.

Ajewole spoke when he paid a condolence visit to the Alarere palace of the late Olubadan.

Speaking with newsmen, he said though the late Olubadan reigned for just two years and three days, Ibadanland would always remember him for peace and development.

Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late former governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi, who is also the President of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF), said Oba Balogun’s death came as a shock to her.

The statement read: “With a deep sense of loss, I write on behalf of myself and the Senator Abiola Ajimobi family to express our sincere condolences on the unexpected transition of our dear, highly revered Baba, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Mahoud Olalekan Balogun.

“Indeed, his death came as a rude shock to my entire family and I, occurring at a most painful period when his wise and sage counsel were most needed.
“With his death, there is no doubt that Oyo State, the State Council of Obas, the Olubadan-in-Council, the entire Ibadanland, the Olori and members of Kabiyesi’s immediate and extended families, have lost a wonderful and loving monarch.
“As Olubadan, though his reign was not as long as expected, he was a major backbone to all sons and daughters of Ibadanland.
“He was also able to contribute immensely to the progress and development of Ibadanland.
“Kabiyesi has no doubt left an indelible imprint in our lives and the society he served diligently till his transition. Though no soothing words can ease the pains of Kabiyesi’s passing, we take solace in the life of impact he led and the indelible legacy he left behind,” she said.