- His service to Nigeria ‘ll remain his enduring legacy, says Sanwo-Olu
President Bola Tinubu has received the news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, with a deep sense of grief.
The President in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with the family of the Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State over this gaping loss.
President Tinubu mourned Olubadan, yet celebrated his remarkable life of service to his people, the state, and the nation.
“His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity. He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity. His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country,” the President said.
President Tinubu urged all who are in mourning mood to find solace in the immortal legacies of the Olubadan, stating that the Olubadan lived eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by the majesty of his essence.
The President prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning this sad loss.
Also, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commiserated with the family and people of Ibadan over the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.
He said the late Oba Balogun’s service to the people of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole will remain his enduring legacy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, on Friday, described Oba Balogun’s death as a great loss to the people of Ibadan and the traditional institution in Oyo State.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the demise of Oba Balogun, who passed on at the age of 81 on Thursday at the University College Teaching Hospital, Ibadan.
The Governor urged the family, friends and associates of the deceased as well as the entire people of Ibadan, whose interests the late monarch represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalising him.
He said, “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with my brother, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the people of the ancient city of Ibadan, the traditional council, the deceased family, friends and political associates on the transition of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his forebears on Thursday.
“The passing of Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun is an end to a glorious era and remarkable reign of an outstanding traditional ruler in Oyo State, Yorubaland. His death is a great loss to the people of Ibadan and he will be greatly missed.
“Oba Balogun made lots of positive impact during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of Ibadan the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
