By Adeyinka Adeniran
No doubt, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city has been thrown into mourning as the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, has joined his ancestors.
Multiple sources confirmed that he died at the University College Hospital, UCH, few hours after he was moved into the health facility.
Oba Balogun, who represented Oyo central senatorial district between 1999 and 2003, was born in 1942 and was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He had ascended the throne on March 11, 2022, after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji, 93, who died January 2, 2022, after reigning from 4th March 2016.
With its unique ascension system, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan, who is top on the military line, will be officially announced after 21 days of mourning, as Olubadan.
Ibadan City, that is always known as ‘Home of the First’ in infrastructural wise not only in social amenities such as first University, television and radio stations, first tallest building, first College of Teaching Hospital among other great infrastructures around the city, human amenity is also part of the reasons Ibadan is known as ‘Home of the First’ as it also stands to be the most civil in its monarchical system.
Expectedly, there won’t be any rancour to announce the head of the military line of the Olubadan system as the next Olubadan of Ibadan, in person of Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Olakulehin.
Culturally, from the time of the announcement of the death, palace drummers would move from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale palace of Ọba Olakulehin, heralding his symbolic ascension of the throne.
Recall that, Olakulehin’s son, Sunbo Owolabi, was commissioner for water resources in the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Next in line to Olakulehin is Rashidi Ladoja, former governor and Senator, who heads the civil line as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan.
However, it is worthy of noted that, the death of Oba Balogun and assumption of office of another Olubadan will cause promotion in the Olubadan system, especially in the Balogun line where the new Olubadan will emerge from.
The demise of Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who joined his ancestors after 2 years on the throne as Olubadan of Ibadanland in 2022 late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan was confirmed by the Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde.
This latest development marks a significant shift in leadership within the Olubadan hierarchy as Oba Owolabi Olakulehin is set to become the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
