Owolabi Olakulehin has been nominated as the 43rd monarch of the historic city of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde says a new Olubadan will be installed soon.
At the 42nd Olubadan, the late Lekan Balogun, final funeral ceremonies, Governor Makinde disclosed this information. He said that Mohood Lekan Balogun, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, had a full life and will be cherished for his contributions to the expansion and advancement of Oyo State and Ibadan. The governor made this statement at the state funeral for the late Oba Dr. Balogun, who served as the senator from Oyo Central District from 1999 to 2003, at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.
He paid tribute to the late monarch for his collaboration with the state administration in order to ensure the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration’s smooth review in 2023. The governor went on to say that the government will be able to install the next Olubadan shortly since the Olubadan-in-Council recommended Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, the Olubadan-elect. This is due to the Oyo State Chiefs Law I 2023 having undergone a successful review.
“I want us to remember today that Kabiyesi Lekan Balogun and I accomplished what many believed Napoleon could not,” Makinde stated. On May 26, 2023, the Legislature and the Executive Branch of government modified Oyo State’s Chieftaincy law, eliminating the necessity for the governor to visit the Council of Chiefs in order to change the declaration of traditional rulers.
We made changes to the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, Kayiyesi Olubadan and I. Those who haven’t seen the document yet can go find it to make sure. That is the proclamation that crowned Ibadanland’s Olubadan. “I have seen and approved the Olubadan-in-Council’s recommendation. Oba Olakulehin would shortly take the throne, as the law had been obeyed. The governor expressed his condolences to the late Olubadan’s family as well as to the people of Ibadan and Oyo State, advising them to find comfort in his good life. I would like to thank everyone again and offer my condolences to the family. Despite the sadness that Baba passed away, we should all find comfort in the knowledge that he had a very full life. the governor said.
Prior to this, Oba Balogun was praised by Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, the Secretary to the State Government, who called him a patriot and an intellectual. She commended the late monarch for his commitment to the development and expansion of the nation. Dr. Kola Balogun, the younger brother of the late monarch and senator for Oyo South District from 2019 to 2023, spoke on behalf of the Balogun family and praised Governor Makinde for his support of the late Olubadan and his family as well as the proper burial of the late Royal Father.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal and his wife, Mrs Ajibola Lawal, Acting PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governors of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi, Chief Moses Alake and Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice Akinniyi Akintola; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi and the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni.
Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai; General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, traditional leaders, religious leaders and captains of industries were also in attendance.
