Oba Lekan Balogun will be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, has died at the age of 81 after a brief illness.
The monarch, it was gathered, was taken to University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan on Wednesday morning over ill health.
Announcing the death of the monarch, Governor Seyi Makinde, in a statement, stated that the Olubadan died on Thursday evening at the UCH. He described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.
He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.
Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.
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“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 Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.
“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”
Also, the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and the King’s younger brother, Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola, said Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites.
The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained PhD holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, former senator and businessman.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was taken.
The Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.