By Funso Alarape
Friday March 15, 2024
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The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland , Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II were interred today Friday at the family burial ground at 4:30 pm.
His remains were laid in state at the Mapo Hall between 12-2 pm
The programme had in attendance the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, members of the Olubadan Advisory Council, religious leaders, top government functionaries and a host of others.
The programme was followed by the Islamic prayers which was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniyu Ajigbotomokekere.
In attendance at the funeral ceremony were, the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Bayo Lawal, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola, President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barr. Niyi Ajewole, Chief Bayo Oyero, members of the state House of Assembly, Islamic clerics from the neighbouring states and a host of others.
Oba Balogun died a few days after the celebration of his two years on the throne. He has been described as one of the educated and referred Olubadan in recent times.
After the interment of the late Olubadan, the next in rank, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is set to become the 43rd Olubadan of the ancient town.
Oba Olakulehin is a former military personnel and also a lawmaker-elect who hails from the same Ibadan North East Local Government Area as the deceased monarch.
The Pathfinder Newspaper gathered that in spite of his being unassuming and acting behind the scene, he has been one of the most active members of the Olubadan-In-Council.
He hails from the Okugbaja family of Ita Baale area of Ibadan.
He was reported to have become Mogaji in 1983 and began to climb the Olubadan chieftaincy ladder in 1986
He was said to have served in the Nigerian Army before 1992 when he contested for a position in the House of Representatives under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic and won the election.
The military interregnum deterred him from serving in that capacity.
He also served as chairman, Ibadan South-East (Mapo). He was said to be the owner of Olakulehin Printing Press and a prosperous bakery in the town.
He is a devout Christian and married with children.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, who announced the passage of Oba Balogun, has described the late Kabiyesi as 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.
He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.
“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.
“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,” he said in a statement by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his Special Adviser (Media).
Also, the Ikolaba Oubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Teslim Folarin, commiserated with Ibadan people and the Olubadan-In-Council and the state government over the demise of the late Oba.
He stated this in a statement by his media aide, Comrade Y.S.O. Olaniyi, on Friday.
Folarin said the demise of the monarch was a great loss, not only to Ibadanland, but also to the entire Oyo State, adding that his erudite rulership in the short time would be missed.
In the same way, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) declared that Ibadan witnessed many developmental projects during the reign of the late Oba Mahood Balogun.
The organisation made the declaration via a statement made available to journalists on Friday.
CCII, the umbrella body of all indigenes of Ibadan, said many developmental projects were executed during the two-year reign of the Ali-Iwo-born monarch.
In the statement issued by its President-General, Mr. Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, a lawyer, the organisaion sympathised with the people of Ali-Iwo Compound and all indigenes of the ancient city over the passage of the monarch.
“We in CCII received the news of the passage of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun Ali Okunmade II with shock.
“We use this medium to sympathise with the indigenes of Ali-Iwo Compound and entire indigenes and residents of Ibadan over the passage of our traditional ruler.
“It is on record that Ibadan witnessed many tremendous developmental projects during the two-year reign of Oba Balogun.
“Coincidentally, Oba Balogun died during the Ramadan fast. It is our belief that Almighty Allah will accept his coming. We pray to Almighty Allah to forgive him and count him among the people who will enter Aljanah Firdaus,” he said.
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