The 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, has joined his ancestors.
He was aged 81 years.
Oladele Ogunsola, media aide of the monarch, said he died, on Thursday evening, a few hours after admission at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo state.
“Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness,” Ogunsola said.
Kola Balogun, younger brother of the Olubadan, said he was taken to the hospital over a “slight malaria fever”.
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“Baba was hale and hearty on Monday when he personally received the few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day,” Balogun was quoted as saying.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State described the late monarch as a ‘mighty Iroko’.
“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,” Makinde said in a statement signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his Chief Press Secretary.
“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 the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.
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“The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage.”
The late monarch spent two years on the throne. He was presented with the staff of office on March 11, 2022, after being endorsed by the Ibadan High Chiefs.
Oba Balogun succeeded Oba Saliu Adetunji who died on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93.
The late monarch will be buried on Friday evening at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, according to Islamic rites.
The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, will be buried according to Islamic rites today, Friday, March 15, 2024, at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
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 who is the Baba-Kekere Olubadan, Kola Balogun.
It was contained in a statement made available to journalists by the deceased’s Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola.
He 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.”
It will be recalled that the monarch marked his second anniversary about 72 hours ago.
He said, “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 member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, former Senator and a successful business man.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he presided over last Saturday.
At that meeting, the decision to disrobe Mogaji Akinsola, Oladoja, was taken.
He, however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to head a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed 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.
The late Olubadan is survived by their wives, children, and grandchildren.
