By Ishaya Ibrahim
The death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun came as a shock. Not because the man is beyond death. No. It is because he died a few days to the second anniversary of his coronation as the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.
Here are some significant facts about the 42nd Olubadan
1) Oba Balogun was born on October 18, 1942 in Ali-Iwo compound, present-day Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State.
2) He had his O- and A-level certificates in the United States while also doing a part-time job to sustain himself.
3) He proceeded to Brunel University where he bagged a degree and master’s degree in Administration and Economics.
4) Balogun had earlier worked as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, as editor ofThe Nigerian Pathfinder, and as a director with Triumph Newspaper, Kano.
5) Balogun worked with Shell British Petroleum Company where he rose to the position of the Administrator/Head, Industrial Relations, Recruitment and Scholarships, Planning and Development units.
6) The late monarch was an astute politician who represented Oyo Central senatorial district between 1999 and 2003.
7) As a senator, he was chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and was a member of many Senate Committees such as Appropriations, Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs and Defence (Army).
8) Balogun was a presidential aspirant on the platform of Social Democratic Party; he was also a gubernatorial candidate for the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State.
9) Balogun was a consummate writer who published many works including; Social Justice or Doom; Power for Sale; Arrogance of Power.
10) Balogun was married to two wives with children.