- He Was An Unrelenting Advocate Of The Pristine Ideals Of Peace, Honesty, And Unity-Tinubu
The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, have been laid to rest at his ancestral home in the Alarere compound area of Ibadan the Oyo state capital as residents and indigenes of the ancient town paid their final respect to a first class monarch.
Present to witness the late monarch’s burial is the Oyo state Deputy Governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, who led a delegation of the State Executive Council to the burial.
The Olubadan in council was led by the Otun Olubadan, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja whom other dignitaries joined to pay their last respects to the departed monarch.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu joined a list of dignitaries to mourn the late monarch, describing him as a courageous man who stood for peace.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity,” Tinubu was quoted by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale as saying on Friday.
“He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity. His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country.”
The president condoled with the family of the Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State “over this gaping loss”.
He, however, called on those mourning to take solace in what he described as “the immortal legacies of the Olubadan”.
Tinubu said the Olubadan lives eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence.
On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has described the death of late Olubadan of Ibadanland, as a glorious exit not unexpected for a great leader who had lived his life enviably well for his people.
The Ooni called the death of Olubadan a colossal loss to Ibadanland and the entire Oduduwa race worldwide.
In a statement signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni said Oba Balogun was not just a monarch but was a beacon of wisdom, unity, and progress who had worked meritoriously all his life to gain all achievements he had recorded for himself as business man, politician, public servant and finally as traditional ruler of the biggest city in West Africa.
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“Throughout his reign, he tirelessly worked towards the betterment of his people, embodying the essence of leadership with grace and dignity, his wisdom, counsel, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
“The Olubadan’s passing is not only a loss for his family and the people of Ibadan but also to the people of Oyo State and the entire Oduduwa family members globally. His contributions to the socio-economic and cultural development of the region are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Ooni Ogunwusi, who doubles as Co-Chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN) prayed for the soul of the late Ibadan monarch, commiserated with his subjects and family, urging for the sustainable of his legacy of peace making, unity, program and compassion praying for an eternal rest of his soul.
“On behalf of the House of Oduduwa and on behalf of the National Council Of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) of which His Majesty, late Oba Lekan Balogun was a leading member, we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Olubadan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Government, people of Oyo State, and the entire Ibadan community both at home and in the diaspora.
“We share in your grief during this difficult time and stand in solidarity with you as you mourn the loss of a true visionary leader. May the gentle soul of this great icon of Oodua royalty rest eternally on the right hand of the Almighty Olodumare,” Ooni prayed.
Also mourning, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the late Oba had made “indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.”
Makinde said Oba Balogun was 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.
“With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland,” the governor said.
“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. 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 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.”
