Oba Lekan Balogun, Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Dies At The Age Of 81

Oba Lekan Balogun, Olubadan Of Ibadanland

Following a brief illness, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has joined his ancestors. At eighty-one, he went to be with his ancestors.

The late monarch was brought to the hospital on Wednesday morning after spending the entire Tuesday indoors due to a mild case of malaria. However, on Monday, he felt well and even hosted a few guests to personally wish him a happy second anniversary.

The late monarch Oladele Ogunsola's personal assistant, Baba-Kekere Olubadan, and his younger brother, Dr. Kola Balogun, made this revelation in a statement. In the announcement, Dr. Balogun noted that, although already told verbally, State Governor Seyi Makinde will receive formal notification early in the morning. He also revealed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his ancestral home in Aliiwo by 4:00 pm on Friday in accordance with Islamic customs.

The late Olubadan was the first and most educated person to become an Ibadan monarch. He was a successful businessman, a former senator, a former member of the management team at Shell British Petroleum, a former university lecturer, and a former gubernatorial candidate of the now-defunct Nigeria People's Party (NPP). He received his Ph.D. from Britain.

The decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was made during the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting he presided over last Saturday, which was his final official engagement. On the other hand, he gave the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, instructions on Tuesday to form a small committee to discuss the decision made last Friday about Ibadan Zone's place in the newly planned Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The Olubadan Advisory Council, chaired by Otun Olubadan and former Oyo State governor High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, had earlier on Thursday ratified the small committee's decision. It was scheduled to be presented to the late Oba Balogun for signature on Friday morning in order to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later that day. The late Olubadan's spouses, kids, and grandchildren survive him.

Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late on Thursday night at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, was described as a great achiever and the embodiment of royal excellence who left a lasting impression on Ibadanland in the little over two years of his reign, according to a statement released by Governor Makinde announcing the monarch's passage.

Invoking God to grant the departed monarch's soul repose, he offered his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State. “Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late on Thursday night at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, was described as a great achiever and the embodiment of royal excellence who left a lasting impression on Ibadanland in the little over two years of his reign, according to a statement released by Governor Makinde announcing the monarch's passage.

“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. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”