Deji Elumoye in Abuja, Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan, James Sowole in Abeokuta and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, were interred at his Aliiwo ancestral home, Ibadan, yesterday.
The late monarch, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors at the age of 81, on Thursday evening, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a brief illness.
Governor Seyi Makinde, represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, led other government functionaries to the family burial ground at Aliiwo in Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.
Dignitaries at the burial ceremony included the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the President General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Niyi Ajewole; former CCII President General, Bayo Ayero; Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Daud Makanjuola; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Abdulganiyu Agbotomokekere and a host of others.
Earlier, there was a lying-in-state at Mapo hall from 12pm to 1pm before the body of the late monarch was moved to Aliwo for burial, where prayers were said to God to repose his soul.
The road leading to the ancestral home from the ancient Mapo Hall was blocked while all markets along the route were also closed to honour him.
Adequate security personnel were deployed to strategic locations within the area to maintain orderliness.
An unspecified number of mobile phones were stolen by miscreants who leveraged on the burial ceremony to steal valuables of unsuspecting sympathisers.
It was also gathered that a journalist lost an unspecified amount of money to pickpockets, while some attendees also lost their phones during the burial at Aliwo, as a large crowd stormed the family compound to pay last respect to the departed monarch.
Reacting to the demise of the traditional ruler, President Bola Tinubu said he received the news with a deep sense of grief.
The President, according to a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, 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.
Tinubu, while mourning the Olubadan, celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state, and the nation.
According to him: “His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity. 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.”
Tinubu urged all who are in mourning to find solace in the immortal legacies of the Olubadan, stating that the Olubadan lives eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence.
The President prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning this sad loss.
Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said he received the news of the passing of the late Olubadan with great shock and profound sadness.
Obasanjo who is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, attending the 11th Global Baku Forum, in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the late monarch left enviable qualities, which clearly stood him out, including an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership.
According to the former President: “His enviable qualities clearly stood him out as he left behind an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good. He demonstrated that politics was an avenue not for mindless enrichment but for rendering faithful service.”
Obasanjo added that the late Olubadan’s contributions to the political, social and economic life of Ibadan, Oyo State, Western Region and, indeed, Nigeria will remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who had interacted with him in politics and in socio-economic life.
“A decent and amiable gentleman, he commanded the respect and admiration of his peers and associates. Like most great leaders, he was all things to all men. To his family, he was a tower of strength and a committed provider; to his community of Ibadan, he was an early model in national leadership; to his Yoruba kinsmen, he was a worthy Ambassador of all things noble about them; and to the rest of Nigeria, he was a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self actualisation.”
To Obasanjo, the late Olubadan “will be remembered as a foremost nationalist, patriot and custodian of our cultural and traditional values, who gave his best while in the service of the nation with distinction and commitment to the high ideals of the public service, particularly during his service as the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The former President noted that, “Although Oba Olalekan Balogun’s passage is like a dream, especially as he left us at a crucial state in our nation’s history when his wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed.
“I would urge the Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, all the members of his immediate and extended family, as well as the entire good people of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large to take solace in the worthy legacy and his mark on the history of this country he left behind. In fact, we ought to give gratitude to God for his worthy life.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will grant you all the strength to bear this great and irreparable loss. And may He grant the late Oba Al-Janah Firdaus.”
In a tribute, the Kwara State Governor/ Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan Land Oba (Senator) Lekan Balogun.
A statement issued in Ilorin, yesterday, signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye stated, “On behalf of the people of Kwara State, the Governor similarly condoles with His Excellency the Oyo State Governor/NGF Vice Chairman Engineer Seyi Makinde and the people of Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole on the sad development.
“The late Olubadan was a man whose place in history is already etched in gold because of not only his quality royal leadership to his people but also for his service to the country as a Senator of the Federal Republic.”
The Governor asked “Allah, the Living and Everlasting, to admit the first class monarch to Al-jannah Firdaus and strengthen the family and Ibadan community after his death.”
