Olubadan of Ibadanland Laid to Rest
By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan
The body of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has on Friday afternoon been laid to rest at his Aliiwo ancestral family home.
The late monarch, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81 on Thursday night, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, after a brief illness.
The Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere, led Muslim faithful to pray for the late monarch before he was interned.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who led the Executives Council Members of the Oyo State Government; Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Daud Akinola and junior brother of the deceased, Kola Balogun, among others.
Earlier, mourners and sympathisers of different status and walks of life trooped into the Alarere residence of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Friday, to commiserate with the immediate family on the demise of the monarch.
The visitors were received by the wife of the late monarch, Olori Funmilayo, alongside other family members.
Read Also: President Tinubu Mourns Imperial Majesty, Olubadan Of Ibadan-land
The visitors who took their time to fill the condolence register, all lauded the late Olubadan for his impact on the ancient city and the state as a whole.
It was observed that the Alarere residence was devoid of its usual fanfare and heavy activities as many sympathisers at the residence were seen seated in clusters chit-chatting, as many were recounting their last encounter with the monarch, while others were full of stories of impact made on them by the late Olubadan.
Security operatives, including uniformed police officers, were seen in large numbers as the residence was gloomy and sadness enveloped the residence.
The early callers, including, a legal luminary, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and son of a former Olubadan, Prince Abioye Asanike, said the late Olubadan, being so educated took control of the city, the elites and managed the city very well after the demise of the former Olubadan Soliu Adetunji.
“His death is a great loss to Ibadanland. We have been looking forward to seeing him using another nine years like our own father Olubadan Asanike but he stayed briefly and departed, that is God for you. He did very well and I thought he was going to be the one to move to the new palace because he inspected the palace recently thinking that he will move there,” he stated.
Another early caller, the President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigene (CCII), Adeniyi Ajewole, who led top members of the Council on the condolence visit said it was painful that the late Olubadan could not occupy the almost completed Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, despite inspecting it recently.
Ajewole said Oba Balogun, as a Senator, schoolar and indigene of Ibadanland, contributed immensely to the completion of the new Olubadan Palace, adding that CCII thought he would be the first king to adorn the palace, but for his short reign.
He noted that though the reign lasted just 2years and three days, Ibadanland would always remember him for peace and the unprecedented development witnessed in the ancient city during his reign.
Others, who as at Friday had signed the condolence register, include: the Oyo Mesi; the Senator representing Oyo Central, Dr Yunus Akintunde; Oyo State PDP Women Leader, Alhaja Wulemot Ibitoye; NSCDC Egbeda Division; Oba Sabo-Ibadan, Alhaji Ali Dahiru Zungeru; and a foremost media practitioner, Yinka Fabowale.
Oba Olalekan Balogun who was presented the staff of office by Governor Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022, died late Thursday night at age 81.
