Olubadan of Ibadan joins ancestors

In a somber announcement that reverberated throughout Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II.

The revered monarch breathed his last at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Thursday evening, leaving behind a legacy of royal excellence and profound accomplishments.

Governor Makinde, in a heartfelt statement issued on Thursday night, eulogized the late Olubadan as an exemplary leader who left an indelible mark on Ibadanland during his brief but impactful reign of just over two years.

Describing Oba Dr. Balogun as a towering figure in the annals of Ibadan’s history, the governor extended his deepest condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the entire populace of Ibadanland and Oyo State.

“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,” Governor Makinde solemnly declared. “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 governor’s words encapsulated the profound loss felt by the people of Oyo State, echoing the sentiments of mourning and appreciation for the departed monarch’s contributions to the socio-cultural landscape of the region.

He conveyed his prayers for the repose of the late Olubadan’s soul and extended solidarity to his family, the Olubadan-in-Council, and the broader traditional institutions of Oyo State.

The demise of Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a void that will be deeply felt by generations to come. As the community mourns the loss of a revered leader, tributes pour in from far and wide, celebrating the enduring legacy of a monarch whose reign exemplified dignity, wisdom, and service to his people.

Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, conveyed the announcement with profound sadness, underscoring the significance of the late Olubadan’s legacy and the enduring impact of his tenure on the collective memory of Oyo State.

As the state grieves the passing of a beloved monarch, the spirit of unity and resilience embodied by Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, serves as a guiding light for the future of Ibadanland and beyond