Gov Seyi Makinde has disclosed that Oyo state government will give the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun a befitting burial
The governor who said this on Friday at Alli Iwo Compound, Ibadan, after the Salat al’Janazah for the late monarch described the late Olubadan as a cerebral monarch and an amiable personality.
Represented at the burial ceremony by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, the governor stated that with the passing away of Oba Lekan Balogun, Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great monarch.
“Let me assure you on behalf of His Excellency that whatever it will take to give the late monarch a befitting burial, the state government will do it”, he said
Gov Makinde added, ” For now, the Muslim rites have been done and we believe that, moving forward, whatever programme that will follow will have the involvement of the state government,”
The governor maintained that the late Oba left legacies and beautiful memories in terms of developments attracted to Ibadanland and that the government will leverage the legacies to chart a greater course for the city and the state.
Eulogizing the late monarch as an intellectual and achieved politician before his ascension to the throne of his forbears, Gov Makinde said he brought his wealth of experience to bear on the throne.
“We can describe the late monarch in many ways. First, he was one of the few cerebral individuals to become Olubadan of Ibadanland. He was very educated and an intellectual.He took issues intellectually and, for that reason, we know that we have lost a monarch”.
Gov Makinde stressed, “Secondly, he was a politician of note. He was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003, and he climbed the ladder to become the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Moving forward, his legacies, memories will chart a course for us, not only in Ibadanland but in Oyo State and Nigeria.He was an amiable man as we all know. He was very jovial and friendly and we pray to Almighty Allah that he will meet His creator in peace.”
