The Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Lekan Balogun has passed away.
The 42nd Olubadan was 82.
Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde announced this in a statement.
The Governor said the ,monarch passed away at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
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First woman from Oyo State to rise to the post of a Colonel in Nigerian Army, Col. Chief Mrs Nike Akerele (Rtd.) has congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on his second anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
Akerele, who is the Iyalode Akinrogun of Ibadanland, said Oba Balogun’s ascension to the throne has further confirmed God’s favour and blessings on him.
A statement by Akerele thanked Oba Balogun’s contributions to the development of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
She described the royal father as a blessing to the ancient town, commending the Monarch’s contributions to various interactions and discourse of national interest.
She said Olubadan has brought his wealth of experience laced with humility as well as compassion to bear on Ibadanland and its environs.
According to her: “I am happy to be alive today to congratulate you as you mark two years on the stool of your forefathers. May Almighty Allah keep and protect the throne to the best of your wishes, grant you long life and more successful service to our fatherland.
“Kabiesi, I join millions of Ibadan descendants home and abroad, friends, associates and other well wishers to wish you happy second anniversary on the throne of your forefathers as the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
She said the fact that the anniversary coincided with the beginning of Ramadan is a sign that Allah has blessed the anniversary.
She said the reign of the current Olubadan has brought immense peace to Ibadan land, praying to Allah to give the Olubadan good health and wisdom to continue to pilot affairs of Ibadanland
A chieftain of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State Dr Kazeem Abidikugu has felicitated with Muslims on the commencement of this year’s Ramadan.
He also congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, whose second year’s coronation anniversary also fall on the period of the commencement of Ramadan.
A statement by Abidikugu, who was PDP House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan South East / North East Federal Constituency in 2023 general elections, urged Muslims to remember the purpose of Ramadan.
He described Ramadan period as “a month in which it was believed that the Holy Qur’an was sent down from heaven as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction and a means of salvation.
He said: “As Muslims as you observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset, I implore you to pray for our dear country, Nigeria, our state, Oyo state and our leaders both at the Federal and at the state level.
“In particular, I want us to use the period of Ramadan to pray for the repositioning of our country’s economy and security.
“Let me also use the occasion of the Ramadan to appreciate the good work being done by our Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde and our leader and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja for the wisdom Allah has granted them to continue to pilot the affairs of our great party, the PDP.
“I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters, a peaceful and blessed Ramadan”.
Abidikugu, who is a United Kingdom-based Psychiatric Consultant, also congratulated the Olubadan and the entire Ibadan Indigenes and residents on the occasion of the Olubadan Second Coronation anniversary.
He said the fact that the anniversary coincided with the beginning of Ramadan is a sign that Allah has blessed the anniversary.
He however said the reign of the current Olubadan has brought immense peace to Ibadan land, praying to Allah to give the Olubadan good health and wisdom to continue to pilot affairs of Ibadanland.
Chiefs in Ibadanland have hailed the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, for deposing Olawale Oladoja as Mogaji Akinsola of Opopo Labiran Family Compound, over disrespect to Olubadan and Olubadan-in-Council.
They described it as a right step in the right direction to salvage traditional institution in Ibadanland, saying Oladoja’s removal would act as a deterrent to others.
A statement by President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and Coordinator, Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, said the judgment passed on Oladoja was well deserved.
The duo noted that the hard earned good image of Ibadan traditional institution should not be tarnished, hence, the need to salvage it.
Mogaji Oladoja at a news conference recently accused a member of Olubadan-in-council, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, of playing double standard by being close to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and at the same time working against his interest.
Olubadan has directed the Akinsola family to nominate another member of the family, who they found worthy of the position to replace Oladoja.
Barely six months after suffering short suspension as Mogaji by the Olubadan Advisory Council, the Mogaji Akinsola of Opopo Labiran Family Compound, Ibadan, Wale Oladoja, on Saturday finally lost the title as his family compound was directed to present another person to fill the vacant position with immediate effect.
This decision was the fall-out of the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council presided over by the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, at his Alarere residence.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of the Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland, led by its President-General, Chief Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Suleiman Iyanda Raufu, who stood in for Chief Barr. Niyi Ajewole, the President-General of the Council.
In a press statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the big axe fell on Oladoja on account of his recent media outbursts considered disrespectful to the Olubadan stool and by extension the traditional institution of Ibadanland.
The media reports credited to the deposed Mogaji, according to the Council were described as divisive, disparaging, insulting and unbecoming of a supposed leader, who is expected to be urbane and cautious in deeds and actions, stressing that the conduct of Oladoja since his short suspension about six months ago was not suggestive of any sense of remorse.
To drive home the point, the Akinsola family which produced him in the first instance was subsequently asked to present another person to replace him as the Mogaji of the family if they are still interested in having a substantive Mogaji.
Barely six months after suspension by the Olubadan Advisory Council, the Mogaji Akinsola of Opopo Labiran family compound, Ibadan, Wale Oladoja on Saturday finally lost the title.
The Council directed the family compound to present another person to fill the vacant position with immediate effect.
This decision was the fall-out of the emergency meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council presided over by Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, at his Alarere residence.
The meeting attracted representatives of the Association of Mogajis of Ibadanland led by its President-General, Chief Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori and the Assistant Secretary-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Suleiman Iyanda Raufu, who stood in for Chief Barr. Niyi Ajewole, the President-General of the Council.
In a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the big axe fell on Oladoja on account of his recent media outbursts considered disrespectful to the Olubadan stool and the traditional institution of Ibadanland.
The media reports credited to the deposed Mogaji, according to the Council, were described as divisive, disparaging, insulting and unbecoming of a supposed leader, who is expected to be urbane and cautious in deeds and actions.
The Council stressed that the conduct of Oladoja since his suspension about six months ago was not suggestive of any sense of remorse.
The Council ordered the suspension of Oladoja over inhuman execution of supposed court judgment on a land matter for which he threw out some residents of Akinsola village in Akinyele Local Government area, an action described as untoward and a breach of the peace.
At Saturday’s meeting, the Council recalled that the suspension placed on Oladoja then did not last long because of his perceived genuine remorse and principally, because of His Imperial Majesty’s peaceful disposition.
However it said: “The recent outbursts by the same person have shown him as somebody without any iota of respect for constituted authority and any failure to bring upon him the full weight of the Council’s power would amount to condoning of indiscipline”.
The Akinsola family which produced him in the first instance was asked to present another person to replace him as Mogaji of the family if they are still interested in having a substantive Mogaji.
The deposed Mogaji was invited to the meeting but failed to show up on an excuse that his mother died about 24 hours to the meeting, an alibi that failed to convince the Council.
Members, who spoke on his excuse described it as a gimmick to evade interrogation on the allegations against him and said they could not be swayed by such antics.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday opposed hurried execution of court judgments on land matters, most of which put residents in untold hardship and unimaginable dislocation.
This was part of the discussions held at the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting presided over by the monarch at his Alarere home, which was attended by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; his Osi, Ashipa, Ekerin and Ekarun, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Kolawole Adegbola, Dada Isioye and Abiodun Azeez.
From the Otun line were Obas Eddy Oyewole, Biodun Kola-Daisi, Hamidu Ajibade, Adebayo Akande, Osi Olubadan, Ashipa, Ekerin and Ekarun. There were contributions against the subject matter.
Olubadan, who maintained that as much as his belief in the rule of law remained unshaken and untainted, said he would not fold his arms and watch some individuals hiding under the umbrella of court judgments, most of which might be questionable, to throw people into anguish and crisis.
Oba Balogun said any court judgment execution that had no human face could not be encouraged, adding: “Let’s even assume without conceding that a judgment is obtained against some people, there’s law, there’s tradition. Where lies our humanity when we take bulldozer to a community and render people homeless just within a twinkle of an eye?
“In most cases, here are people that have lived all their lives, some claiming to have spent decades on the so-called disputed land. Unfortunately, some of them are oblivious that there’s a court case going on in their absence, only to wake up one morning to become vagabonds and homeless. This is nothing but sheer wickedness, which we frown at seriously at this level.”
A statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, said the reactions followed a report by the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Ajibade, on the alleged bulldozing of a whole community in Akinyele Local Government by an acclaimed owner of the land, on account of court judgment said to be in his favour.
A chieftain of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State Dr Kazeem Adesina Abidikugu has sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun and Ibadan residents over the unfortunate explosion incident which claimed lives, injured many and destroyed properties on Tuesday.
The explosion, which rocked Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on Tuesday night was caused by explosive devices allegedly stored by illegal miners.
Many persons were dead with property also affected by the blast including the Governor’s office, Secretariat, and Oyo State House of Assembly.
A statement by Abidikugu, who was a PDP House of Representatives Aspirant for Ibadan South East / North East Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, said his hearts is with those who lost their loved ones in the incident.
He extended his heartfelt sympathies to the immediate families of the victims and the entire people of the State.
Abidikugu, a UK-based Psychiatric Consultant, described the sad incident as disheartening and unfortunate, wishing the people of Oyo State, particularly the victims, peace, comfort and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
He also commended Governor Makinde for his prompt response leading to the deployment of first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State as well as earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights and security for comprehensive search and rescue operations at the scene of the explosion.
“I wish Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadan land and all the people of Oyo State, particularly the Bodija residents and victims’ families, peace, comfort and lots of love at this time of sorrow,” he said.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has commended the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, over his prompt response and action on the explosion that rocked the state capital on Tuesday evening.
Oba Balogun, who in a statement by his personal assistant (media), Oladele Ogunsola described the incident as unfortunate and devastating remarked that the way and manner the governor responded and with his prompt briefing of the people not only doused the tension created by the incident, but gave a sense of reassurance.
The monarch said: “I was following the governor’s every step and I’m very impressed with his approach, prompt action, meticulous steps and quick intervention on the medical needs of the injured. The governor really proved himself a true people’s governor.”
The monarch commiserated with the deceased families with a prayer that the Almighty God would comfort them and grant the departed peaceful repose of their souls.
Likewise, he wished the injured quick recovery just as he urged the people to remain calm and obey safety precautions’ directives as may be given by the security agents.
Oba Balogun saluted the security agents, led by the state Commissioner of Police for their professional handling of the situation, their commitment, dedication and sacrifice, and prayed that they would not labour in vain just as he implored them not to rest on their oars, but to remain steadfast and proactive to nip in the bud any form of threat to the security and peaceful living of the people.
In the meantime, Oba Balogun called for vigilance on the part of the people stressing that from the available preliminary investigation report, the explosion was preventable if people had been conscious and inquisitive about the activities of the people they live around with.
“A stitch in time saves nine as an adage says. If we put on I don’t care cap about those we live around with, when the consequences of their lifestyle, if it is antisocial manifest, nobody is immune and that’s the result we are now contending with.
“As landlords or agents, who are those tenants we rent our houses to? How much of them do we know? What do they do for a living? We should not be contented with just regular payment of rent or the ability to pay a humongous amount of money. In fact, any tenant that ordinarily offers to pay far beyond the common and prevailing rent in an area should be on the watch list if not denied the accommodation”, Olubadan stated.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday suspended Baale of Folarin, a village in Akinyele Local Government, Chief Kazeem Olayiwola, over land matters.
Mogaji Wale Oladoja was ‘derobed’ a few months ago over a similar situation, when he went to a community in the same Akinyele Local Government to seal off houses with the intention of reclaiming the land upon which the houses were built. He was later pardoned after showing remorse and promising to desist from such act.
In a statement by the Personal Assistant on Media to the Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, the suspension order was handed down by an ad hoc committee constituted by the monarch to hear the case.
The committee comprised Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Ismaila Abioye Opeyemi; Alakinyele of Akinyele, Oba James Oluyemi Odeniran JP; Personal Assistant on Chieftaincy Matters and his Media counterpart, Chief Lateef Alade and Oladele Ogunsola.