Olubadan Of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun Joins Ancestors

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has died.

He was 81.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, disclosed the monarch’s demise in a statement late Thursday night.

Oba Balogun spent two years on the throne of his forefathers after Makinde presented the Staff of Office to him on March 11, 2022.

According to Olanrewaju, the king died Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The governor described the late monarch as a towering figure akin to an Iroko tree.

He further described Oba Balogun as a well-experienced Olubadan who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.

Makinde also commiserated the late royal’s immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland on the loss, while praying for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

“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 was quoted as saying.

“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba 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 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.

“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 Olubadan was born on October 18, 1942.

He ascended his forefathers’ throne after the passage of the late Oba Saliu Adetunji.

Balogun also used the second anniversary, which coincided with the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast, as an opportunity to ask for prayers for the country by the Islamic faithful and expression of love for one another to make the period stress-free for the adherents.

The monarch said his clocking two years on the throne was a special grace by his creator that he could not take for granted.

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