Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, Dies at 81, Governor Mourns

*Monarch passes two years after ascending throne 

*Makinde first Oyo gov to install two Olubadans since 1999

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, last night, passed on to glory, two years after ascending the throne. He was aged 81.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who announced the passage, while mourning, said the monarch joined his ancestors late last night at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Makinde described Oba 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 expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.
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.

“On behalf of the government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. 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.”
Balogun, who represented Oyo Central senatorial district between 1999 and 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), was born October 18, 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. Adetunji, 93, had 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.
Interestingly, too, and with this development, Makinde is going to be the first governor of Oyo State to install two Olubadans since the return to civil rule in 1999.