There is stalemate in the process of enthroning a new Olubadan of Ibadan land, as the whereabouts of the next-in-line, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, are unknown.
The situation has forced members of the Olubadan-in-Council to choose the Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole, to preside over its meetings pending the resolution of the stalemate.
Olakulehin, who heads the Balogun line to the throne, is next-in-line to the throne after the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun on March 14. Balogun was enthroned from the Otun line on March 11, 2022.
But The Nation gathered that the Olubadan-designate has not shown up for any palace or traditional activity since Oba Balogun’s death.
The Nation had reported that a meeting of the high chiefs was scheduled for the Olubadan palace at Oja’ba on Tuesday during which Olakulehin was expected to be ratified and his name officially announced by the Olubadan-in-Council as the next Olubadan of Ibadan.
But the high chiefs shunned the meeting, which was called by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, who is now the head of the Otun line to the throne.
Former governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja; younger brother to the late Olubadan, Sen. Kola Balogun; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Segun Olaiwola were among dignitaries at the Firdau (8 day prayers) for late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
The event, held at Mapo Hall also had in attendance the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Niyi Ajewole; Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Konibaje; Babasale Musulumi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Nureni Akanbi; Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Alhaja Iswat Ameringun, and local government chairmen in Ibadan among others.
Oba Balogun, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 lastThursday night at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after a brief illness.
At the event, Muslim, Christian clerics and traditionalists prayed for the reposed soul of the late monarch, wishing Balogun’s family fortitude to bear the loss.
In his remark, the Chairman, Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Sikiru Sanda said the monarch died when he was needed most, saying Ibadan people will missed him so much.
He described his death as a great loss to the nation, adding that his contributions towards the progress of Ibadanland and the state were commendable.
“God is the giver and taker, and we need to thank him for everything, Baba can be seeing in all faceth, he was an academia, business man and a politician, he played with everybody, Ibadan people and we his children are going to miss him.”
One of the Ibadan Mogaji’s, who is also the Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Nurudeen Akinade said the late monarch was a grassroots mobiliser.
He noted the late monarch was a great man because his two years reign was full of various progress and development.
Former governor of Oyo State and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, younger brother to the late Olubadan, Kola Balogun, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, and the commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Segun Olaiwola were among dignitaries at the eight days Fidau of late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
The event, held at Mapo Hall also had in attendance the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigiens (CCII) Barr. Chief Niyi Ajewole, Iyaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Konibaje, Babasale Musulumi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Nureni Akanbi, Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Alhaja Iswat Ameringun, and local government Chairmen in Ibadan among others.
Recall that 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.
At the event, Muslims, Christians and traditionalists prayed for the reposed soul of the late monarch, wishing Balogun’s family fortitude to bear the loss.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Sikiru Sanda said the monarch died when he was needed most, saying Ibadan people will miss him so much.
He described his death as a great loss to the nation, adding that his contributions towards the progress of Ibadanland and the state were commendable.
He said: “God is the giver and taker, and we need to thank him for everything, Baba can be seen in all facets, he was an academic, businessman and a politician, he played with everybody, Ibadan people and his children are going to miss him.”
One of the Ibadan Mogajis, who is also the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Nurudeen Akinade said the late monarch was a grassroots mobiliser.
He noted the late monarch was a great man because his two-year reign was full of various progress and development.
“Olubadan once said he wanted to turn Ibadanland into the capital of Africa, and we are all wondering how that will be possible, It was after his death we realised that he had done that because we now have a palace which was adjudged as one of the best in Africa, for the first time, we now have an Ibadan man as the vice Chancellor of foremost University in Nigeria, Circular road project is been inaugurated during his reign and many other laudable projects.”
Meanwhile, in his sermon, a former lecturer at the Department of Islamic and Arabic Studies, University of Ibadan (UI) Prof. Kamil Oloso said attending a burial ceremony will teach people that everybody will die one day irrespective of their status.
According to him, “Earth is not the end of everything, we are all going to heaven, only those who worship God and of good behaviour can make heaven, I mean those who are doing good while alive.
“We should all know that there is heaven, and those who will make heaven are those with good character while alive.
A cleric at the palace of the late monarch, Pastor Olusoji Adediji said human life is just like a calendar that is going to end one day, saying the deceased has finished his assignments on earth.
He stated that the impact of the late monarch in Ibadanland and the state as a whole cannot be overemphasized.
He said the late monarch has seen the grace of God while alive, particularly during his reign as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He said: “Baba lived a good and meaningful life, his name will not be forgotten in Ibadanland and the entire state.”
He however urged the widow of the deceased to take heart because the death of their husband signified his transition to eternity.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, a former state governor, Rashidi Ladoja, and some members of the Olubadan-in-Council were some of the guests who paid a condolence visit to the Alarere, Ibadan residence of the late Oba Lekan Balogun on Thursday, March 21.
While the governor led other top government functionaries on the visit, Senator Ladoja led some members of the council during a separate visit to the Palace.
The Ladoja’s team arrived and left the palace before the arrival of the governor.
Speaking, Makinde lauded the contributions of the late Olubadan to the stability of the Ibadan traditional system, saying that the monarch also contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan and Oyo state in general.
Makinde was received by the late monarch’s younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun; the wives of Oba Balogun, Olori Olayinka, Olori Olufumilayo and Olori Kalimat Balogun and some members of Alli Iwo family.
He described Oba Balogun as a simple and jovial person who contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.
While lamenting how painful his demise was to him, Governor Makinde noted that the monarch who contributed positively to the stability of the Ibadan traditional system should be celebrated rather than mourned.
Earlier in his welcome address, a former State Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu on behalf of the Alli Iwo family, appreciated the visit of Governor Makinde, affirming that the governor was so supportive of the late monarch during his lifetime.
While speaking on behalf of the immediate family, the first daughter of Oba Balogun, Mrs Funmilayo Osinowo, also expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the late monarch while he was alive, as she called for more support to the family after his demise.
A special prayer was offered for the soul of the late Oba by the Chaplain of Government House, Pastor Layi Adisa and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, Imam Rasheed Azeez.
He said the local governments had made arrangements that would make the programme a success and befitting for the late monarch.
Expected at the fidau are Ibadan high chiefs, other chiefs, political and business associates, government functionaries and other stakeholders.
The lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency, Akin Alabi, has said he has gone too far in relationship with the late Oba Balogun to cut off from the family he left behind.
Alabi, who is also the Ajiwogbo family compound head (Mogaji) in the Ibadan traditional system, made the remark yesterday during his condolence visit to the Alarere home of the late monarch.
Alabi and his large entourage, among other sympathisers, were received by the three widows of the late Oba Balogun, Oloris Olayinka, Olufunmilayo and Khalimat.
The lawmaker described himself as part and parcel of the family, saying as sad and devastating as the Oba’s death was, it would not cut him off from the bereaved family.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a point of order moved by Senator Abiodun Sharafadeen Ali (APC – Oyo South).
Ali in his lead debate, paid glowing tributes to the late monarch.
The senators approved that the Senate should observe a minute silence in honour of the late Olubadan when the prayer was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
However, Ali’s prayer, which called on the Senate to immoralise the late Olubadan, who was a senator, by naming one of the committee rooms of the Senate after him, did not gain the approval of his colleagues.
The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has described the late Oba Balogun as someone whose image towered far above Ibadan, which he reigned over and the entire Oyo State.
He made the remarks when he paid a condolence visit to the Alarere home of the late monarch.
He said the late Oba Balogun was not only the father of Ibadan or that of Oyo State, but also the father of Nigeria.
Describing the death of the late Olubadan as very sad and shocking, he said as human beings, there was nothing anybody could do to halt the inevitability of death when it was the appointed time by the Almighty Allah, adding that “what we should do is to continue to pray for the repose of his gentle and peaceful soul”.
The Nation reports that the APC National Chairman was bestowed with the honorary chieftaincy title of Aare Fiwajoye of Ibadanland alongside his wife, who became Yeye Aare Fiwajoye at a colourful ceremony held in 2022, a few months after Oba Balogun ascended the throne.
Senators approved that the Senate should observe a minute silence in honour of the late Olubadan Balogun when the prayer was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
However, Ali’s prayer which called on the Senate to immoralise the late Olubadan who was a former Senator by naming one of the committee rooms of the Senate after him did not gain the approval of his colleagues.
Okugbaja/Olakulehin family in Oranyan, Ita-Baale, Ibadan on Tuesday, March 19, paid homage to their kinsman (Olubadan designate), Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at his Alalubosa residence.
The family, led by the Olori Alagbaa of Ibadan land, Chief Ojeniyi Akintomide said the family is happy that it’s their man to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He stated that the concern of the family now is how peace and unity will reign in Ibadanland and its environs when Olakulehin is eventually coronated as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He noted that the family is ready to give necessary support to the Olubadan designate so that his reign can witness tremendous peace and blessings in Ibadanland.
He said: “We have known him even before he became the Olubadan designate, he is a lover of humanity and will never cheat anybody, and he didn’t take bribes.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Personal assistant to the Olubadan designate, Folaranmi Gbolagade while receiving the family on behalf of the Olubadan designate thanked the family for the gesture.
He described Olakulehin as a family man who always give his best for the family and people around him.
He however urged the family not to stay away from the palace, saying the family will be contacted and carried along in the coronation ceremony.
Others who paid homage to Olakulehin’s residence include officials of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) led by its National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan Ibraheem.
The Alalubosa Residence of Oba Olakulehin has become Mecca since the demise of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun who passed on last week at the age of 82.
Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is set to be the next Olubadan of Ibadanland being next in the Balogun line.
Scores of sympathisers have continued to throng the Alarere residence of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who died last Thursday evening at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
He was aged 81.
One of the visitors, the Aare Akinrogun of Ibadanland, who was a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the former Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai described the death of Oba Balogun as very painful and the sudden exit as a great loss, stressing that with his death, “we have lost a friendly, jovial, compassionate and loving monarch”.
Gen. Buratai was given the Ibadan honorary Chieftaincy title by Oba Saliu Adetunji who reigned before Oba Balogun.
Speaking during the condolence visit, the former COAS said the exit of Oba Balogun was the loss of a great monarch, saying, “His passage was very painful, but we are grateful to the Almighty Allah because he made his mark and left a great legacy.”
Responding on behalf of the family, Dr. Kola Balogun, a member of the Senate at the Ninth Assembly said he was not surprised by the visit by the retired General given the cordial relationship between the visitor and the family, which, though started with the coronation about two years ago but had blossomed like decades of interactions.
He recalled that the Ibadan honorary Chieftaincy title holder came to the coronation and array of Generals and stayed for two extra days to ensure personal visitation to the late monarch.
He said: “We are feeling a great sense of loss because we never thought it was going to be so short. We however take solace in the popular aphorism that it is not how long, but, how well.
“We are grateful to the Almighty Allah for the quality service our departed hero gave Ibadanland during his two-year reign. The general comments trailing his passage since Thursday last week have been so consoling and soothing balm on the pains caused by his death.
“He scored many firsts and his efforts at ensuring that peace reigned during his time and the taming of the monsters engaging in land grabbing would go down in history as part of his enduring legacies”, Sen. Balogun added.
Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Ismaila Abioye Opeyemi led the Association of the Royal Highnesses of Ibadanland to condole the family of the late monarch.
On the ground to receive the sympathizers were the three surviving wives of the late Olubadan namely: Oloris Olayinka, Olufunmilayo and Khalimat Balogun.
In his short remark on behalf of his colleague Obas, Oniroko described the late Oba Balogun as a man with no restriction to his accessibility, noting that his death caught everybody unaware as his news of illness was not heard and it made it more painful.
He said: “We took consolation in the fact that our departed father made history and his impact on all of us would remain indelible in our lives because the crowns we all parade now were his legacies which nobody could alter in history.
“We shall forever remain grateful to him just as we implore all the people left behind not to mourn but to rejoice in the impactful and fulfilled life lived by the departed great monarch”.
In a similar vein, the Non-Indigenes Traditional Council in Ibadan and Oyo State through Onu of Igala of Ibadanland, Ajofe Okoliko gave commendation to the late Oba Balogun, who was described as a peculiar and unique Olubadan going by his non-preferential disposition to both indigenes and non-indigenes alike, saying, “we have never seen any Olubadan like him in terms of non-discriminatory and detribalization disposition.
Okoliko said: “As we have come here to sympathize with you the survivors of the deceased, we are also here to sympathize with ourselves because we have lost a true and compassionate father in him.
“He was our backbone when forming the association and since its formation, he has never abandoned us. He was very accessible and highly accommodating.”
Olori Olayinka Balogun, who responded on behalf of her colleagues acknowledged the remarks by Oniroko which she said were very apt and an indication of deep knowledge of their late husband. She expressed gladness that their late husband left behind a name and legacies to be proud of which she said were enough consolation.
While reacting to the condolence message delivered by the Onu of Igala of Ibadanland, Olori Balogun commended the association for its friendly disposition and the glorious comments on their late husband.
According to her, “It is a thing of joy to acknowledge your identification of our late husband as WAZOBIA which truly he was. He was such a detribalized person that everybody who came across him was either his brother or sister, son or daughter. We are very happy to have been blessed with such a man and will always cherish the good and enduring legacies he left behind.”
The Yoruba Obas Forum has described the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan, as a colossal loss to Yorubaland.
This is contained in a condolence message signed by Oba Samuel Adeboye, the Molokun of Atijere, the National President of the forum, on behalf of other members on Monday in Osogbo.
The forum, comprising traditional rulers from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States, described the late Olubadan as a progressive traditional ruler, whose reign within a period of two years brought about the sustenance of peace and stability in Ibadan land.
“The late Olubadan’s contributions to the socio-economic and cultural development of the region are immeasurable.
“His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” the forum said.
While commiserating with the family and the indigenes of Ibadan town, the traditional rulers prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late Olubadan.
They also prayed Almighty Allah to grant his family and the entire residents of Ibadan land the fortitude to bear the irreparable.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Oba Balogun, who ascended the throne on March 11, 2022, died on March 14, aged 81.
