Ibadan: Oba Lekan Balogun Joins Ancestors After Spending 2 Years, 2 Days On The Throne 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II,  has joined his ancestors.

Oba Balogun, who  spent two years  and two days on the throne of his forefathers, has left the planet earth at the age of 81. 

Team@orientactualmags.com  learned that Governor  Seyi Makinde announced  Oba Balogun’s  passing  in a statement issued  by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr  Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday.

 The Oyo state governor said Oba Balogun passed away  on Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

 The governor described the late monarch as a towering figure akin to an Iroko tree.

‘With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Balogun has joined the ancestors.

On behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.

The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage’ he added.

 Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors 6 days after ordering the removal of Wale Oladoja as Magaji Akinsola of Opopo La Iran family.

The family was yet to name a replacement before the Ibadan monarch’s passing while Oladoja had also instituted a lawsuit to challenge his removal as Magaji.

Oladoja had earlier gotten suspended by Oba Lekan Balogun in August 2023.

The embattled former Magaji had reportedly  led others to attack the residents of a community  claiming that he had gotten court judgments to prove that the land upon which they had built their houses was not legally sold to them.

The late Oba Lekan Balogun was born on  October  18, 1942 and he became the Olubadan on March 11, 2022.

  A former SDP presidential  aspirant, the late Oba Balogun also represented Oyo Central senatorial district in the senate between 1999 and 2003.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that salāt al-Janāzah  which is the Islamic funeral prayer, had since been held for  the late Olubadan at his Aliiwo ancestral home on Friday.

It was held at about  4.30 pm.

The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Niyi Ajewole; former CCII President-General, Bayo Ayero; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Daud Makanjuola; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, and  other prominent personalities attended the janazah-

 Sequel to his demise , there will be  a 21- day mourning  period after which plans will begin to have his successor  named.

Based on the rules of succession ,Balogun Olakulehin is the next in line for the throne  while a former senator and  a one-time governor of Oyo state, Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja , who is the Otun Olubadan , is now one step away from the throne-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you