By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde while announcing the death liken the incident to the falling of an Iroko tree
He described Oba Dr. Balogun 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 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.”
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin said the late Olubadan lived a great and fulfilled life.
He said Oyo state would miss the elderly and wise counselling of the royal father whose proficiency and wealth of knowledge cut across both administrative and political experiences.
“Late Oba Balogun was an accomplished academic, administrator, editor, writer and publisher as well as a successful politician. To sum it up, he was an all round achiever. May the soul of Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun find repose with his creator, Allah.”
The Senator representing Oyo South at the Red Chamber, Sharafadeen Alli, and the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate for 2023 election in Oyo State, Sen. Teslim Folarin both expressed profound shock at the demise of the revered Olubadan.
The duo described the passing of Oba Olalekan Balogun as a monumental loss not only for the people of Ibadan, but for the entire state.
Alli said Balogun’s relatively short but impactful reign marked a period of unity, progress and community development adding that Balogun’s memory would forever be enshrined in the annals of Ibadan’s history.
Folarin on his part said the deceased was a great father and political leader describing him as a highly resourceful and respected monarch with rich resume.
According to him, the death of Olubadan was a colossal loss to Ibadanland and Yorubaland.
Also, Yoruba nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, said the legacies of late Olubadan in Nigeria’s politics and the development of Ibadan will remain enduring.
He noted that his reign for just two years on the throne of the monarch attracted more socioeconomic growths to his domain and further draw global attention to Ibadan as the largest city in West Africa, South of the Sahara.
Also, a legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prince Abioye Asanike said the late Olubadan, being so educated took control of the city, the elites and managed the city very well.
He said “What I can just say about the late Olubadan is that after the demise of our former Olubadan Soliu Adetunji, Oba Balogun, being an educated person took control of the city, controlled of the elites and managed the city very well.
“His death is a great loss to Ibadanland. We have been looking forward to seeing him using another nine years like our own father Olubadan Asanike but he stayed briefly and departed, that is God for you.”
The President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigene, (CCII), Adeniyi Ajewole said it was painful that the late Olubadan could not occupy the almost completed Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo despite inspecting it recently.
Ajewole said Oba Balogun, as a Senator, scholar and indigene of Ibadanland, contributed immensely to the completion of Olubadan palace, adding that CCII thought he would be the first king to adorn the palace, but for his short reign.
The CCII PG said though the reign lasted just 2years and three days, Ibadanland would always remember him for peace and the unprecedented development witnessed in the ancient city during his reign.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, on behalf of the Council, Senate, Congregation, staff and students of the institution in his commiseration expressed appreciation for the generous donation of the land on which the University stands by the people of Ibadanland.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late monarch and that peace would continue to be upon Ibadanland.
Also, a non governmental organisation, Coalition for Democracy in Nigeria (CODIN) described the death of the late Olubadan, as painful.
The President, Comrade Mashood Erubami said the news of the monarch whom he described as Comrade- Oba was a devastating shock.
He said, since Oba Balogun became the Olubadan, he positioned himself as a loud voice for the voiceless and made his throne a key partner institution through which the people can realize their genuine desires and aspirations
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande in his commiseration expressed sadness over the loss of the highly revered Olubadan.
He said, with the passage, “I have lost a father, guardian and teacher. I related with Baba for over four decades and I have no shred of doubt that he lived a fulfilled life. I pray that God grant him eternal rest and be with the family he left behind.”
