Tag: Oba Owolabi Olakulehin

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7.

He was 90.

A former Oyo Commissioner of Information Toye Arulogun confirmed the death of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, stating that an official statement will be released shortly.

 Olakulehin passed away exactly one year after he ascended the throne.

The demise of Oba Olakulehin is coming barely two days after celebrating his 90th birthday.

Here are 13 things to know about late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin

1. Akinloye Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin was born on July 5, 1935, to the family of Pa Ishola-Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Ope Ajilaran Omoyoade Owolabi in Okugbaja village, Ita Baale near Akanran in present day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria.

2. He was a monarch.

3. He was the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan.

4. He commenced his primary school education at St James Primary School, Oke Akaran, Islamic School, Odoiye, but eventually finished at St Peter Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan.

5. After graduating from primary school, Olakulehin taught briefly as a primary school teacher at Wakajaiye in the Akobo area of Ibadan and subsequently gained admission to Yaba Technical Institute for vocational study in printing and artwork.

Read Also: Tinubu congratulates Olubadan Olakulehin at 90, first coronation anniversary

6. In 1959, Owolabi Olakulehin commenced his career at the Ministry of Works, Western Region Government in Ibadan, entering as a third-class clerk. Simultaneously, he gained admission to the Yaba College of Technology to pursue his higher studies where he eventually obtained his Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Building.

7. In 1970, through a Direct Short Service Commission, he enlisted in the Nigerian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers. He subsequently undertook diverse roles and assignments throughout the nation, steadily advancing to the rank of Major.

8. During his tenure, he assumed various leadership positions, including that of Commanding Officer of the Army Maintenance Regiment in Jos, Kaduna, and Lagos. He retired as a major on October 1,1979.[7]

9. After retiring from the army, Olakulehin ventured into entrepreneurial ventures, through FAKOL Nigeria Ltd, a construction contracting firm, Olakulehin Press, (later rebranded as Solid Prints) and FAKOL Bakery in the city of Ibadan.

10. Like his predecessor, Owolabi Olakulehin is also a politician as he contested in 1992 and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to represent the Ibadan South East Constituency. While in the house, he served as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Nigerian Army.

11. His journey to becoming the Olubadan of Ibadanland began in 1983 when he emerged the Mogaji of his compound – the Ige Olakulehin Family of Ita-Baale Olugbode, Ibadan, till he became the Balogun of Ibadanland (one of the two most senior chiefs in Ibadanland).

12. He was crowned on the 12 July 2024 and he reigned till 7 July 2025.

13. Owolabi Olakulehin was a Christian and he was married with children.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has said the peace, unity and progress of Ibadanland nurtured by family cohesion, equity and justice would not be compromised in the process of installation of traditional title holders in the ancient city.

The monarch, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Solomon Ayoade, was responding to an allegation that Oba Olakulehin did not install the Mogaji of Alli-Iwo in Ibadan North East Local Government of Oyo State, which is the family of the former Olubadan at the last installation ceremony.

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The monarch said the Mogaji of Alli-Iwo was not the only candidate that was not installed.

He said others that were not installed were Mogaji Kojela Isale-Osi compound in Ibadan South West Local Government, Baale Akinsola village in Akinyele Local Government, Baale Agbon village and Baale Sukuru both from Lagelu Local Government.

The statement said contrary to insinuations, the two Mogajis and the three Baales were disqualified because their families were divided and they did not present consensus candidates, an act which was diametrically opposed to the concept, ideals and values of family headship.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has urged Edo indigenes residing in Ibadanland to remain law-abiding and continue contributing positively to the community. 

He made the appeal while hosting the leadership and members of the Edo indigenes at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Ibadan.

Speaking through the Ekefa Balogun of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Raifu Eleruwere, the monarch expressed appreciation for the visit from the Edo people and encouraged other non-indigenes to follow suit.

He further assured the Edo indigenes, and other non-indigenes, to go about their business activities in Ibadan without fear, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and order.

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Earlier in his speech, the leader of Edo Indigenes living in Ibadanland, Chief Joseph Saliu congratulated Olubadan for ascending the throne of his fathers hale and hearty. 

According to Chief Joseph Saliu the delegates of Edo people had stayed in Ibadan for over 40 years where they had produced business leaders and professionals such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, business tycoons among others. 

He commended the monarch and the Advisory Council for allowing peaceful co -existence to reign supreme in the ancient city.

Present at the courtesy visit ceremony are Chief Ademola Odunade, the Asiwaju Olubadan of Ibadanland, Aremo (Barr) Sunmbo Owolabi Olakulehin, Mr. Kolawole Balogun among others 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has enjoined newly installed Mogajis and Baales in Ibadanland not to use their positions to oppress their subjects. 

He gave the charge during the installation of 12 Mogajis and three Baales in Ibadanland. 

The installation of the new Mogajis and Baales held on Monday at the Olubadan palace, Oke Aremo in Ibadan. 

Those who were installed as Mogajis were: Mr. Saheed Babatunde Adeyemo as Mogaji of Jatao family, Oje area; Mr. Oladejo Rufai Moruf as Mogaji of Omotara family; Elder Amos Olusoji Oladokun as Mogaji of Obatolu family, Oke Ofa, Atipe area; Chief Fagbamiro Sola Funminiyi as Mogaji of Fagorioye compound, Oke Ofa Babasale; Mr. Muili Abdul Lateef as Mogaji Asaka family of Ode Aje area and Comrade Joseph Shittu Kehinde as Mogaji of Onisade family of Itutaba, Idi Omoh area. 

Others are: Mr. Raheem Toheeb Olawale as Mogaji of Olukolo family, Oke Parde area; Mr. Adegoke Moruf Ademola as Mogaji of Aigbede family of Isale Ijebu area; Barrister Utman Tunde Alimi as Mogaji of Odebode Ekerin, Alabanla; Alhaji Muhammad Arotayo as Mogaji Arotayo family of Alekuso Orita-Merin Bere Road; Mr. Hakeem Adesanya Adetoro as Mogaji Apako family of Isale Alfa area and Hon. Adebola Adeleke-Olugbode as Mogaji of Onikeke family, Adepojumi compound, Ali Iwo area. 

Those installed as Baales are: Mr. Olawatosin Olusegun Oladimeji (Segelu) who was installed as Baale of Eleruko village in Lagelu local government area; Mr. Safiu Gbedeogun as Baale of Gbedeogun village in Oluyole local government area and Alhaji Fatai Oyeniyi Oni as Baale of Aba Oni village in Ido local government area. 

Oba Olakulehin, who spoke through the Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief (Senator) Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, warned the new Mogajis and Baales against using their positions to oppress their subjects. 

“On behalf of the Olubadan and Olubadan-in-council, I wish to congratulate you on your installation. You are the representatives of the Olubadan in your respective compounds and villages, Olulubadan is the paramount ruler. 

Read Also: Olubadan urges new chiefs on traditional values

“Please, do not use your positions to oppress the people. Do not grab lands in your areas. Olubadan is the owner of the title, if you are found wanting, you will be removed. 

“If you are petitioned and we found out that it is true, you will be equally sanctioned because Olubadan is the owner of the title. Olubadan said I should congratulate you once again,” he said.

The event was attended by Oba Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola, Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole-Foko, Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olubunmi Dada-Isioye, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dauda Abiodun Azeez, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Akeem Mobolaji Adewoyin, Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland and High Chief (Senator) Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland. 

Other dignitaries at the event were Mogajis, Baales, religious leaders, traders, artisans, traditional office holders and well-wishers. 

The Olubadan also on Monday inaugurated a sub-commitee on chieftaincy screening and dispute resolution. 

The committee was inaugurated by the Olubadan through the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi. 

The committee whose mandate is to resolve any case of disputes on chieftaincy matters in Ibadanland has Agbaakin Balogun, Senior Chief Rafiu Emiola Onideure as Chairman. 

Other members of the committee are; Alhaji Chief Kayode Afolabi Kadelu, Oota Balogun, Alhaji Chief Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke, Aare Egbe Omo Balogun, Chief Olufemi Olukorede Ogunwale, Gbonka Olubadan, Oloye Taiwo Akande Ige, Aare Onibon Balogun and Mogaji Tunji Ajala Odugade. 

Others are; Mogaji Akeem Adewale Bankole, Mogaji Folahan Olabode, Mogaji Abiodun Oladipo and Alh. Ramoni Alabi, Personal Assistant to the Olubadan of Ibadanland as the Secretary. 

• … threatening to boycott event

The Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Baales, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and other Chiefs have condemned the list of committee set up by the Oyo State Government for the coronation of the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

They alleged that the committee was made of politicians and civil servants with few representations from the traditional institution and the family, wondering whose interest those appointed into the committee were to serve.

Makinde set up a committee for the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

The committee is headed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Ademola Ojo.

But a statement by the President of Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, General Secretary, Mogaji Allen Tunji Ajala Odugade and the Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade said Olubadan belongs to Ibadan people and not politicians alone.

The Chiefs rejected composition of the committee and requested for necessary amendment by including those necessary in the Committee.

The statement reads: “In the Committee, CCII was not represented, the Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland are not represented, the Baales are also not represented.

“We condemn the list of the Committee and sincerely hope His Excellency will do the needful by ensuring that we have all inclusive Committee befitting of His Imperial Majesty.

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“Ibadanland deserves a well organised  coronation for the Olubadan, this start from a committee that will befit the people of Ibadanland.

“The coronation committee for the Olubadan has always been championed by the locals, traditional settings not Government.

“A very good example Chief Theophillus Akinyele, who led the coronation committee of former Olubadan (HIM Oba Yunusa Bankole Ogundipe, the State Government was only invited to the Committe, not that the state government will be championing Committe for the coronation of an Olubadan.”

The enthronement process of the next Olubadan of Ibadanland (Olubadan designate), Oba Owolabi Olakulehin may begin tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26.

Recall that the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 recently at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after a brief illness.

The Nation gathered that kingmakers in Ibadanland will meet on Tuesday to ratify the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Read Also: Olubadan Fidau: Dignitaries eulogise late Oba Balogun

The statutory kingmakers and members of the Olubadan-in-Council expected at the meeting are the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Ekarun Olubadan, Oba Adebayo Akande; the Otun Balogun, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Balogun, Oba Dada Isioye and the Ekarun Balogun, Oba Abiodun Azeez.

The meeting, slated for the Mapo Hall, will have in attendance all the kingmakers, alongside the Olubadan-designate, Oba Olakulehin.

Olakulehin is expected to be at the meeting where his nomination will be ratified by the kingmakers before his name would be forwarded to the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde for approval.

Upon approval by the state government, a date for coronation will be fixed for the new monarch.