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Tag: Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi

  • Reps honour late Olowo

    The House of Representatives on Thursday honoured the late Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, who joined his ancestors on April 17 at 77.

    Besides observing a minute silence, prayers for the repose of the soul of the departed monarch were also said by the lawmakers.

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara described the late monarch as a man with outstanding qualities.

    According to Bode Ayorinde (Ondo) while moving the motion, Oba (Dr.) Folagbade David Victor Olateru Olagbegi lived a fulfilled life and impacted on so many lives within and outside Owo Kingdom.

    While craving  the indulgence of his colleagues to observe a minute silence in honour of this illustrious son and King of Owo Kingdom, Oyerijde noted the late traditional ruler was  a pragmatic elder statesman, a lover and practitioner of peace, and a lawyer of high repute.

    The lawmaker noted that the late monarch contributed so much to the legal profession and the country, while at the same time upheld the rich cultural heritage of the nation.

  • Olowo: Tinubu condoles with Owo, Akeredolu, others

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commiserated with the Olateru-Olagbegi Royal Family, the Olowo-in-Council and the people of Owo over the demise of Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi.

    Oba Olateru-Olagbegi’s demise at 77 was announced on Thursday by the Ondo State Government.

    Asiwaju Tinubu also commiserated with Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the death, saying the highly respected traditional ruler died when his wise counsel and peace initiatives in the ancient Owo town and across Yorubaland were still required.

    In a condolence message released by his Media Office yesterday and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, Tinubu said: “I commiserate with the Olagbegi Royal Family, the Olowo-in-Council and the people of Owo over the demise of Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi. I also offer my condolences to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    ”Oba Olateru-Olagbegi was a highly respected traditional ruler, who contributed immensely to the peace and development of Owo kingdom and Ondo State. He loved his people and the Yoruba race dearly.

    “A man of peace and vast knowledge, he was reputed for his peace initiatives and bridge-building efforts. He was also unmistakable in his outward appearance. Oba Olateru-Olagbegi was distinctively Yoruba in shape and form.

    “He carried himself with dignity and grace commensurate with the magnificence of the traditional stool he occupied. For as the capital of Yoruba city-state between 1400 and 1600 AD, Owo occupied an enviable place in Yoruba traditional history. The pioneer Olowo of Owo was the direct descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.

    “Owo has also produced great sons and daughters, which included the last President of Egbe Omo Oduduwa and Second Republic governor of Ondo State, Chief Michael Ajasin.

    “Oba Olateru-Olagbegi’s wise counsel will be deeply missed not only by the Olowo-in-Council and the Owo people but also by the Yoruba across the country and beyond.

    “I wish the soul of our late monarch eternal rest. May the Olagbegi family, the people of Owo and indeed all of us find the strength to continue where he has stopped.”

     

  • No drumming, burial in Owo, as Olowo’s rite of passage starts

    As part of burial rites for the late Olowo of Owo , Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the community has banned burying of corpses, burial ceremonies and beating of drums in the town until  his remains are buried in line with the tradition.

    According to intermittent radio announcement by all the high chiefs in Owo, the community said there would be an adverse effect for anybody who violates the order. The ban is expected to last for less than 21 days.

    The Owo community chiefs urged members of the public to comply with the traditional directive in their own interest.

    As part of traditional burial rites for the monarch, all trees in and around the Oba Market and the palace have been cut down, while the relocation of the market to Ogwata had taken place pending the installation of a new Olowo.

    The Olubola of Owo, Chief Olusola Ogunleye, who is also the Secretary to the late monarch, described the demise of Olowo as sudden and regrettable to the entire community.

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, yesterday, visited the palace of the late Olowo of Owo to commiserate with the immediate family of the monarch, the chiefs and the entire people of Owo kingdom.

    While addressing the people inside the palace, Governor Akeredolu said late Oba Olagbegi towered above many people, not only as a king but also as an intellectual.

    He said the people must at this point in time be proud of the services the late monarch rendered to the town, the state and the country at large which brought unprecedented development to the town and state.

    Governor Akeredolu, who was received into Palace by the Olowo – in – Council led by the Ojumu of Owo Kingdom, said the town has lost a giant who was respected for his education, adding that the town has lost a great icon.

    He said “ Baba was very close to many of us, but many people didn’t know. I was President of the Bar and as President of the Bar you decide who you will make a bencher. I made him a bencher. Two weeks ago he was in Abuja and was honored as a life bencher. We know that we have lost a giant. We had a king that was respected for his rich education. We had a Kabiyesi that was most respected

    “He knew the Prince of Peace when he was alive. He was committed to building a church because he believed in the God he served. He was always at the Holy Ghost service. The fact that he knew the Prince of peace, let us be rest assured that he’s resting in peace. Kabiyesi has done his best , we will give him a befitting burial.”

    Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians and groups continue to send condolence messages to the people of Owo. The Senate  President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed sadness over the departure of the late king and described the death as a big loss to Nigeria at a time the nation’s leadership needs wise counsel and experience to solve the various problems confronting her.

    He described late Oba Olagbegi as a humane monarch who contributed immensely to the development of Owo in particular, Ondo State and Nigeria, in general.

    Saraki, in statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the late royal father would be remembered for his peaceful disposition and the  leadership he provided in the education sector.

    He stated that the legacies of hardwork, integrity and patience of the late monarch left in the Nigeria Law School where he rose through the ranks to become the Director General will remain a reference point for a long time.

    Saraki said: “The Olowo of Owo was one traditional ruler whose impact extended far beyond his domain. His contributions to the development of tertiary institutions in the country as Chancellor of the Universities of Benin, Abuja and Jos respectively at various times during his lifetime speak volume.

    ”His demise is a colossal loss to the country in particular and humanity in general. He shall be dearly missed.”

    Also, the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC)  described the Olowo’s  death as a great loss and sadness. It said the late monarch was a true statesman who served his people, state and country with distinction.

    A statement by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaliro said: “Words cannot express how saddened we are to hear of the sudden demise of the highly revered traditional ruler from the historic town of Owo.

    “We are particularly affected for losing the frontline traditional ruler at a time in the history of our state when his invaluable advice and counselling would be most appreciated by APC’s led government.”

    The party extended sincere condolences to the people of Owo Kingdom on the passage of their beloved monarch, who has ruled over his people since his ascension to the throne in 2003.

    It also extended special condolences to all his children and other members of Olateru-Olagbegi immediate and extended family.

    In his condolence message to Owo People, Bishop Francis Wale Oke of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries,  described the late Olowo of Owo as a man who lived an exemplary and Godly life.

  • Owo calm as traditional burial rites commence for late monarch

    Owo, an ancient city in Ondo State, wore a mournful look on Thursday following the demise of its traditional ruler, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, at 77.

    The news of the death of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, which filtered in on Wednesday morning as a rumour, was officially confirmed on Thursday morning.

    A NAN correspondent, who visited Owo, noted that people were seen discussing the development in groups in some strategic locations of the town.

    It was observed that there were no human or vehicular restrictions in the town while economic activities were ongoing except at the palace and the king’s market.

    When NAN visited, the palace was not accessible as the palace guards were on standby to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the palace.

    NAN also observed that trees within the market had been cut off as part of the traditional rites for the late monarch.

    Speaking with NAN, Chief Niran Osuporu, the personal assistant to the late king, said that the monarch died Tuesday night in his palace after a brief illness.

    Osuporu added that traditional burial rites for the late king had started according to the customs of the ancient town.

    He said that there was no restriction on movement as all processes were peaceful.

    Osuporu, who is one of the high chiefs of the town, said that the king’s market had been temporarily moved to another location until another king would be selected and installed in line with tradition of the town.

    He told NAN that all chiefs were forbidden to put on their beads as a mark of mourning of the late king.

    Mr. Shina Olateru-Olagbegi, a younger brother of the late monarch, said that the death of the king was shocking but noted that the town was still calm and peaceful.

    Olateru-Olagbegi also confirmed that all necessary arrangements had been made for the traditional burial rites of the departed monarch.

    One of the indigenes of the town, Dr Adebayo Owa, told NAN that the demise of the king had put the whole town into a mourning mood.

    Owa, who is a lecturer at Federal University Oye Ekiti, described the reign of the late king as very peaceful.

    He prayed that the existing peace would continue in the town during the reign of the next king

  • Olowo passes on at 77

    A FIRST class monarch in Ondo State, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, is dead at 77 years.

    A palace source said the traditional ruler, who ascended the throne in 2003, attended a security summit held in the town on Tuesday.

    The monarch, it was learnt, developed complications after he retired to the palace and he eventually died.

    Although the state government was yet to make any official statement on the death of the traditional ruler, the news of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi’s death has spread across the state and beyond.

    Commissioner for Information Yemi Olowolabi said he was not aware of the development, stressing that only Olowo’s palace could confirm the story.

    Governor  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, is presently on an official engagement outside the country.

    However, an official of Owo Local Government Area, who craved anonymity, confirmed the monarch’s death, stressing that the Chairman of the Local Government will later today announce it officially.

    The council officail said the monarch had been receiving medical treatment for over a year, attributing his death to health challenges he suffered since ascension to the throne.

    The late traditional ruler was a prominent lawyer and a lecturer in the Nigerian Law School, where he retired as a reader in 1999 to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

    He was honoured with the national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

    Besides, he was appointed the Chancellor, University of Benin in 2015 and later the University of Abuja.

    The late monarch was a former chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    He is the eldest son of the late Olowo of Owo, Sir Titus Olateru-Olagbegi II, who ruled the ancient town.

    He received the staff of office as Olowo on December 11, 2003, from the late former governor, Olusegun Agagu, after succeeding his father in 1999.

    Palace sources confirmed his death but emphasised that “we cannot announce it now because of various traditions to follow”.

    “Governor Akeredolu, who is an indigene of Owo, is presently out of the country for official duty, and must be formally briefed on Olowo’s exit before an official announcement,” a source said.

    He received his first degree in law from London, United Kingdom (UK) and attended Nigeria Law School in 1968.

    The late monarch later returned to Nigeria to practise Law under the late Fatai Williams.

    He is married to Ololade Olateru-Olagbegi, a lawyer and law lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.

  • UPDATED: Olowo of Owo dies at 77

    A first class monarch in Ondo State, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi is dead.

    The traditional ruler, who ascended the throne in 2003, was 77.

    A palace source hinted that the monarch had earlier attended a security summit held in the town on Tuesday and developed complications after he had retired to the palace and eventually died.

    Although the state government was yet to make any official statement on the death of the traditional ruler, the news of his death has spread across the state and beyond.

    The Commissioner for Information,Yemi Olowolabi said he was not aware of the development, stressing only Olowo’s palace could confirm the story.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, is currently on an official engagement outside the country.

    However, an official of Owo Local Government Area of the state who spoke in confidence confirmed the death of the monarch.

    He stated the chairman of the Local Government will announce his death officially on Thursday.

    READ ALSO: ‘I see humility as a virtue’ – Olowo of Owo

    He said the monarch had been on and off the hospital for over a year, attributing his death to health challenges he suffered since his ascension to the throne.

    Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi was the eldest son of his late father, Sir Olateru Olagbegi who ruled the ancient town of Owo between 1910 and 1998.

    He received the staff of office as Olowo in December 11, 2003 from the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu after succeeding his father in 1999.

    He received his first degree in law from London, UK and attended Nigeria Law school in 1968.

    He was married to Ololade Olateru-Olagbegi, a Barrister and law lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.

    Folagbade obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from London, UK.

    He later returned to Nigeria to practice Law under the late Fatai Williams.

    He was a lecturer in the Nigerian Law School, where he retired as a reader in 1999 to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

    He was appointed as Chancellor of University of Benin (Nigeria) in 2005 and later University of Abuja.

    He was honoured with the national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

    Besides, he was appointed the Chancellor, University of Benin in 2015 and later the University of Abuja.

    The late Oba Olagbegi was a former chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas.

    Palace sources confirmed his death but stated “we cannot announce it now because of various traditions to follow.

    “Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who is an indigene of Owo is currently out of the country for an official duty and must be formally briefed on Olowo’s exit before official announcement,” sources said.