The remains of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, will be laid to rest today by Islamic rites at his Aliwo, the ancestral home town in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The late king, who reigned for two years, died at the age of 81 late yesterday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a brief illness.
The funeral announcement was made by the monarch’s younger brother who is the Baba-Kekere Olubadan, Kola Balogun.
The statement was released by the king’s Personal Assistant on media, Oladele Ogunsola, to the journalists, stating that “Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliwo ancestral home by 4 pm on Friday (today), according to Islamic rites. The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early this morning.”
The late monarch celebrated his second anniversary on the throne 72 hours before his sudden transition to the great beyond.
The statement further narrated that the late monarch, who was 81 years old at the time of his death, was taken to the hospital on Wednesday morning, having stayed indoors throughout “Tuesday on account of a slight malaria fever. Though, he was hale and hearty on Monday during which he received a few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second anniversary on that day.”
The late Olubadan was said to be a British-trained PhD holder, a former university lecturer, a former member of the management staff of Shell British Petroleum, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, a former Senator, and a successful businessman.
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His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he presided over last Saturday. At that meeting, the decision to disrobe Mogaji Akinsola was taken.
He, however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to head a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and former Governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature on Friday morning to meet the deadline for submission in a bid to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day before the unfortunate incident.
Among those he left behind were his wives, children, and grandchildren.
