The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has passed on.
He was aged 81 and spent two years and three days on the throne having been presented the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday, 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.
“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”, the governor announced.
Oba Balogun, on Monday 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.
He was presented staff of office by Makinde as the 42nd Olubadan after the late Oba Saliu Adetunji, died.
His Personal Assistant on media, Oladele Ogunsola 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 described his clocking two years on the throne as a special grace by his creator and which he could not take for granted.
“Two years just look like yesterday to me. But for those of you around me, I could not have imagined that two years have gone by just like that. I owe God every gratitude for the grace and privilege. I thank Him too for surrounding me with wonderful and loving people, who have made the reign seamless and peaceful.
“Of particular reference are my brothers and sister in the Advisory Council. They have been tremendously wonderful in terms of support and cooperation for which I cannot thank them enough. I can only pray that when it is their turn to occupy the seat, they won’t lack worthy people around them.
“I also thank the generality of the people of Ibadanland, both at home and in their diaspora for their unflinching loyalty and dependability,” the late monarch said.
The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, will be interred according to Islqmoc rites today, Friday, March 15, 2024, at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The PUNCH reports that the late monarch, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a brief illness.
The burial announcement was made by the monarch’s younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun.
His Personal Assistant, Ogunsola said: “Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4pm on Friday (today), according to Islamic rites. The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early this morning.
“Aged 81, the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hale and hearty on Monday during which he personally received a few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second anniversary on that day.”
The late Olubadan was a British trained Ph.d holder, a former university lecturer, former management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, former Senator and a successful business man.
On Saturday he presided over the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which ratified the suspension of Mogaji Akinsola, Oladoja.
On Tuesday, the late monarch asked a committee led by the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to review last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the 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.
