The death of Olubadan recently sent shocking waves not only in Ibadanland but entire Yoruba land. BAYO AGBOOLA reports on moments before his death and moments thereafter.
It was the end of an era for the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Manhood Olalekan Balogun as he breath his last on Thursday, March 13, 2024 at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan at age 82.
The late Olubadan was born on 18 October 1942 in Ali-Iwo compound in Ibadan North-east local government area of Oyo state and stands as the first most educated to have emerged as the Olubadan of Ibadan.
He was a British-trained former university lecturer, former management staff of Shell Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), former Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District as well as a successful business man.
Oba Balogun passed away barely 72 hours after the celebration of his two years anniversary as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland. He was taken to UCH last week Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary.
Official announcement
According to the younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on the demise of the Oba, “His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken. He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife 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 statenent added that, “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 former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to late 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.”
Makinde mourns
Announcing the demise of Olubadan in a statement entitled ‘An Iroko has fallen’, Governor Seyi Makinde said, “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 people of Oyo state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba 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.”
Governor Adeleke too
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state described the passing away of Olubadan as devastating, stressing that the late monarch would be missed for the peace and tranquility that his reign witnessed in Ibadan.
Commiserating with his Oyo state counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde and entire Ibadan people, Adeleke said Oba Balogun was a highly respected monarch, who served the people of Ibadan with passion and honour, noting that his exit to the great beyond would leave a void for Ibadan he served for years to come.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Osun state, I extend my heartfelt condolence to the government of Oyo state and the people of Ibadan.
“Oba Balogun was a great source of inspiration in impactful leadership and his demise means we’re denied the immense benefits of the quality of his insights, wise counsels and unrestrained passion for the physical growth of Ibadanland and its people.
Ooni celebrates his glorious departure
The Ooni of Ife and Co-chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN), Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi declared that the passing away of the late Oba Lekan Balogun was a colossal loss to Ibadanland and the entire Oduduwa race worldwide, saying that the demise was a glorious exit not unexpected for a great leader who had lived his life enviably well for his people. He added that the late Oba Balogun was not just a monarch but was a beacon of wisdom, unity and progress who had worked meritoriously all his life to gain all achievements he had recorded for himself as a business man, politician, public servant and finally as traditional ruler of the biggest city in West Africa.
“Throughout his reign, he tirelessly worked towards the betterment of his people, embodying the essence of leadership with grace and dignity, his wisdom, counsel, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his subjects earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of knowing him. The Olubadan’s passing is not only a loss for his family and people of Ibadan but also to the people of Oyo state and the entire Oduduwa family globally. His contributions to the socio-economic and cultural development of the region are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
“On behalf of the House of Oduduwa and on behalf of the National Council Of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) of which His Majesty, late Oba Lekan Balogun was a leading member.We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late Olubadan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the government, people of Oyo state and the entire Ibadan community both at home and in the diaspora.We share in your grief during this difficult time and stand in solidarity with you as you mourn the loss of a true visionary leader. May the gentle soul of this great icon of Oodua royalty rest eternally on the right hand of the Almighty Olodumare.”
Another group mourns
Mourning the demise of Oba Balogun, the apex socio-culrural organisation in Ibadanland, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) minced no words in emphasising that Ibadan witnessed tremendous developmental projects during the reign of late Oba Lekan Balogun.
CCII in a statement issued by its president-general, Barrister Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole while sympatizing with the people of Ali-Iwo compound and all indigenes of Ibadan said, “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 sympatise 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 years 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.”
The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Sarafadeen Alli on his part expressed shock over what he called the untimely demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, saying his death was a monumental loss not only for the people of Ibadan, but for the entire state.
“Balogun’s relatively short but impactful reign marked a period of unity, progress and community development. I join the people of Ibadanland in mourning the loss of a beloved monarch and leader. I stand in solidarity with the community in honouring the legacy and contributions of Oba Balogun.”
The burial of the late Olubadan on Friday, March 15 at his Alliwo Ancestral home in Ibadan was a clear testimony to the fact that the late Olubadan was a great ruler well loved by his subjects. Governor Makinde while speaking at the burial ceremony minced no words in disclosing that the state government would be fully involved in whatever programmes that will ensure he is given a befitting burial.
Represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, the governor said with the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, Oyo State and Nigeria have lost a great monarch, a cerebral monarch and an amiable personality.
“Let me assure you on behalf of His Excellency that whatever it would take to give the late monarch a befitting burial, the state government would do it. For now, the Muslim rites have been done and we believe that moving forward, whatever programme that would follow will have the involvement of the state government.”
All the sons and daughters of Ibadanland and beyond are wishing late Oba Balogun Aljana as he joins his ancestors.
