- Well-wishers besiege residence of incoming monarch
- President, governors, others mourn late royal father
Ibadan high chiefs and the natives left no one in doubt yesterday who their next ruler is following the passage, late Thursday, of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun.
As soon as the day broke, the chiefs, the natives and drummers began trooping to the Alalubosa residence of the Olubadan-designate and the Balogun of Ibadan, Chief Owolabi Olakulehin, to pay him homage.
Olakulehin is from the military side.
The Olubadan title rotates between the civil and military lines. Oba Balogun came from the civil line.
President Bola Tinubu, state governors and many other prominent Nigerians yesterday paid tribute to the late Olubadan, who was laid to rest at 4pm in his family compound at Ali Iwo, according to Islamic rites.
Among the Olubadan-in-Council members who met with the incoming Oba yesterday were the Otun of Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Oba Adebayo Akande and Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.
Emerging from the meeting, Ladoja told reporters that Ibadan already had its Oba-designate.
“The departed monarch (Oba Balogun) came from the Otun line, the next monarch will be from Balogun line, so, the head of Balogun line is the Balogun of Ibadanland, who has become the Olubadan designate,” he said.
“We all know that Ibadan does things accordingly. If a king dies, we already know who is next. We refer to him as designate.
“We are here to formalise what next after the burial rites of the deceased would have been completed. We also discussed how to give a befitting burial to the deceased.
“Since the deceased is a Muslim, he has to be buried in Islamic way, and the Islamic way is that he has to be buried today (yesterday).So, it has been decided that he will be buried today at Ali Iwo, which is his ancestral home, by 4pm.
“There will be a lying-in-state at Mapo hall from 12pm to 1pm before they move to Ali Iwo for the burial. After that, there will be prayers for the monarch.
“There is no date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan, but the date shall be announced as soon as the burial rites for the deceased are completed.
Almost every centimetre of Olakulehin’s compound was occupied by relatives, friends and well wishers. Canopies were erected to accommodate the crowd.
Traditional drummers hailed the Olubadan-designate in songs laced with proverbs and metaphors.
Extended family members, particularly wives, were seen dancing to the drum beats as they rejoiced and exchanged banter.
Olakulehin was born into the Okugbaja family of Ita Baale in Ibadan North on July 5, 1935.
He once served in the Nigerian Army and was elected Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government before winning election into the House of Representatives on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1993 elections.
He is the proprietor of Olakulehin Printing Press and a bakery.
His journey to the throne began in 1983 when he was made the Mogaji .From that position, he began climbing the Olubadan ladder in 1986.
He will be crowned as the 43rd Olubadan upon the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Symphatizers throng late Olubadan’s residence
At the other end of Ibadan metropolis yesterday, sympathizers from different walks of life thronged the Alarere residence of the late Olubadan to commiserate with his family.
The visitors were received by the wife of the late monarch, Olori Funmilayo and other family members.
Many of the sympathizers were overheard recounting their last encounter with the late Olubadan.
Among the early callers was Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abioye Asanike, who said the deceased “managed the city very well.”
“He did very well and I thought he was going to be the one to move to the new palace because he inspected the palace recently thinking that he would move there.”
The President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Adeniyi Ajewole, who led top members of the Council on a condolence visit, said it was painful that the late Olubadan could not occupy the almost completed Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo despite inspecting it recently.
Ajewole said Oba Balogun contributed immensely to the completion of Olubadan palace, adding that CCII thought he would be the first king to live there.
The CCII PG said though the reign lasted just two years and three days, Ibadanland would always remember him for peace and the unprecedented development witnessed in the ancient city during his reign.
Other early callers who as at Friday had signed the condolence register include the Senator representing Oyo Central, Dr Yunus Akintunde; Oyo State PDP Women Leader, Alhaja Wulemot Ibitoye; NSCDC Egbeda Division and Oba Sabo-Ibadan, Alhaji Ali Dahiru Zungeru.
Oba Balogun, who was presented the staff of office by Governor Seyi Makinde on March 11, 2022, joined his ancestors late Thursday night at age 81.
He lived a remarkable life, says Tinubu in tribute
President Tinubu described the late Olubadan as an exceptional monarch who used the stool for service to humanity.
The President, in a condolence message to the bereaved family, the government of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, said of the late Oba Balogun: “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 in mourning to find solace in the immortal legacies of the Olubadan, stating that the Olubadan lives eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning this sad loss.
NGF: His place in history already etched in gold
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through its Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the late traditional ruler was special not just because of his quality royal leadership to his people but “also for his service to the country as a senator of the Federal Republic.”
The forum prayed that Allah might admit him to Al-jannah Firdaus and strengthen the family and Ibadan community after his death.
He was cerebral, says Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said the deceased was one of the “few cerebral individuals to become Olubadan of Ibadanland. He was very educated and an intellectual.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal at the burial, Makinde said: “He took issues intellectually and, for that reason, we know that we have lost a monarch.
“Secondly, he was a politician of note. He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003, and he climbed the ladder to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Moving forward, his legacies, memories will chart a course for us, not only in Ibadanland but in Oyo State and Nigeria.
“He was an amiable man as we all know. He was very jovial and friendly, and we pray to Almighty Allah that he will meet His Creator in peace.”
The governor assured that the late Oba Balogun would be honoured by the state.
Governor Makinde also expressed confidence that with the seamlessness in the Olubadan Chieftaincy System, the next Olubadan would step in and take the mantle of leadership to move Ibadanland to its next level.
He said: “Now, the ascension to the throne of Olubadan has always been peaceful and we pray that whoever is coming in as Olubadan of Ibadanland will take the mantle from where Oba Balogun dropped it.”
Sanwo-Olu: He left enduring legacy
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said it would be difficult to forget the late Oba Balogun because of the enduring legacy he left behind.
He said the passage of Oba Balogun “is an end to a glorious era and remarkable reign of an outstanding traditional ruler in Oyo State, Yorubaland.
“His death is a great loss to the people of Ibadan and he will be greatly missed.
“Oba Balogun made lots of positive impact during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of Ibadan the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
His death is devastating –Gov. Adeleke
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State said the demise of the Oba was devastating, saying the late monarch would be missed for the peace and tranquility that his reign witnessed in Ibadan.
“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,” Adeleke said.
He was a silent achiever, says Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described the late Olubadan as a silent achiever and lover of peace.
He said the passing of the Oba after two years on the throne was a monumental loss that could only be imagined.
“Within a short period of time Oba Balogun ensured communal peace and stability while deploying his rich experience in the traditional leadership of Ibadan,” the governor said.
Otu: It’s a monumental loss
Cross River State Governor Bassey Out described the death of the Olubadan as a monumental loss to Ibadanland, Oyo State, the entire South West and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Otu said the late monarch was a custodian of the heritage of his people’s culture, tradition and humanity.
“This must be a traumatic and disconcerting moment for my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Ibadan, given that the Oyo State traditional institution is losing yet its First Class monarch in less than two years following the death of Alafin of Oyo,” Otu said.
He added: “Though death is inevitable, there is no doubt that the Olubadan and his royal counsel, his fatherly guidance and advice will be sorely missed.”
Oba Balogun laid to rest
The remains of Oba Balogun were committed to earth at about 4pm yesterday in his ancestral compound at Ali-Iwo area of Ibadan according to Islamic rites.
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere, led the prayers for the repose of his soul.
Dignitaries at the event include the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who led members of the state executive. Others include Elder Wole Oyelese, Alh. Daud Akinola, and younger brother of the deceased, Sen. Kola Balogun.
His corpse arrived the family compound on a hearse from Mapo Hall. A little crowd of residents gathered at the family compound to witness the burial ceremony.
Earlier, traditional worshippers announced their arrival when they made a procession to the compound to inspect and offer prayers at the graveside.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the Janazi prayers, the monarch’s younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, said of him: “I received the news (of his death) 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 give all glory to God.
“My brother, first and foremost, was a godly man. He was a humanitarian per excellence, intellectual and he was a decent human being. He was one king I knew who was giving gifts, money to people. But I wasn’t surprised because that was our father, so anyone who took after him will be like that.
“The neighborhood crime rate went down during his time due to his administration and the issue of land grabbing has reduced. There was peace, tranquility and love among Ibadan people.”
In a statement giving details of his last moments, Sen. Balogun said the monarch was admitted to the hospital Wednesday morning on account of slight malaria fever.
He said the monarch had stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of the malaria fever, though he was hale and hearty on Monday.
He added that the late Olubadan personally received a few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second anniversary on Monday.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting which he presided over on Saturday where the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was taken.
It was gathered that the monarch, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Amidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The decision of the small committee was earlier ratified on Thursday by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by the Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning to meet the deadline for submission to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
He obtained his PhD in a United Kingdom university and worked as a lecturer. He was a management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), former Senator and a successful business man.
