By Adeyinka Adeniran
A non governmental organisation, Coalition for Democracy in Nigeria (CODIN) has described the death of the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun as painful.
The President, Comrade Mashood Erubami a statement on Friday said the news of the monarch whom he described as Comrade- Oba as a devastating shock.
He said, since Oba Balogun became the Olubadan, he had 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
Comrade Erubami said “The news of the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Mohood Lekan Balogun came as a devastating shock.
“You died at a ripe age of 81, but the unaccomplished expectations of the promises you made during our visit to your Palace that you will mobilize all Ibadan indigenes and residents to work for the achievement of Ibadan status as an Independent state among the federation of states in Nigeria make us sad.
“We are also saddened about your short lived reign which affected the larger achievement of the set dreams of turning Ibadan to an industrial, manufacturing and agricultural economy before your untimely exit.
“Death has done its worst again in lifting Comrade Lekan Balogun to the great beyond. Nobody expected his death so soon after assuming his very deserved seat as His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan. He went with all his first best, the first PhD holder among the Obas that have ruled in Ibadan, the first Senator that represented the Oyo Central constituency who later became an Oba.
“He was the first learned lennist/Marxist Socialist Comrade that became the Olubadan, a foremost lecturer who was thoroughly good to his students until he left the Ahmadu Bello University.
“A proficient business tycoon, a cerebral intellectual and a democratic Senator who represented his constituency well in raising motions and joining in the passages of laws that had represented humanity in Nigeria. Above all, he came into his throne peacefully and used his reign to create conditions for the progress and development of Ibadanland.
“Since he became the Olubadan, he had 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.
“Comrade lekan Balogun as I fondly call him was an amiably caring Oba, very lively, accommodating, accessible and philanthropic.
“A quintessential Oba during his short reign on the throne. He will forever be remembered by those he enthroned as honorary traditional Chieftaincy holders, Mogajis and Baales as choices of quality and character. He will live and be alive in the minds of those who love and benefitted from him. Adieu our Comrade Oba lekan Balogun.”
