The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, is dead. He was aged 81. His remains will be interred according to Islqmoc rites today, Friday, March 15, 2024, at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Oba Balogun spent two years on the throne of his forefathers, having been presented the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022.
Confirming his death in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday, Makinde said Oba Balogun died Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
The governor described the late monarch as a towering figure akin to an Iroko tree.
He wrote, “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Balogun has joined the ancestors.
“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.
“On behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”
“The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage,” he added.
The late Olubadan was born on October 18, 1942.
The late Olubadan ascended his forefathers’ throne two years ago after the passage of the late Oba Saliu Adetunji.
On Monday, the late monarch thanked God for the grace and privilege to clock two years on the throne, just as he thanked members of his advisory council for their unflinching support so far.
Balogun, in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media, Oladele Ogunsola, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the second anniversary, which coincided with the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast, was also used as an opportunity by the monarch to ask for prayers for the country by the Islamic faithful and expression of love for one another to make the period stress-free for the adherents.
The monarch said his clocking two years on the throne was a special grace by his creator that he could not take for granted.
The late Olubadan was a British trained Ph.d holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, former Senator and a successful business man.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he presided over last Saturday.
At that meeting, the decision to disrobe Mogaji Akinsola, Oladoja, was taken.
He, however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to head 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 on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former Governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
The late Olubadan is survived by their wives, children, and grandchildren.