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By Oluseye Ojo
The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, who died late Thursday night has been buried at his Aliiwo family compound in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State. The body of the late monarch was committed to mother earth at the Alliiwo family burial ground at 4:30pm amid heavy crowd and security. He was installed as Olubadan on Friday March 11, 2022 and joined his ancestors on Thursday March 14, 2024.
The deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Adebayo Lawal, led a high-powered delegation of the state government to the funeral prayer.
The Otun Olubadan and former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and other notable members of the Olubadan Advisory Council were also in attendance to pay their last respect to the late paramount ruler of Ibadanland. The Chief Imam of Ibadanand, Sheik Abdul-Ganiyy Agbotomokelere, led the funeral prayers and internment for the 42nd Olubadan, who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003.
President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Alhaji Niyi Ajewole; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Makanjuola Akinola; as well as former CCII president, Chief Bayo Oyero were also present at the burial rites for tr deceased.
The two popular markets – Oja’ba, Ita Merin and Oje, were closed in honour of the late monarch. Also, shops and stalls around Mapo, Beere, Oje and Aliiwo were closed. It was gathered that the mourning period for the late king would be made public soon.
It was gathered that pickpockets had a field day, as many phones were stolen during the burial at Aliiwo where a large crowd stormed the family compound to pay their last respects. Some attendees also lost money.
Speaking during the lying-in-state for the deceased held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan South East Local Government, Ladoja said: “The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun lived a worthy life. God empowered him with wisdom with which he led Ibadan during the brief period he reigned. “There is no accident of event in life. God has destined when everyone will die and that is why he has left us. God does not make mistakes and no one can die unless God wants him to die. I believe that his death will bring peace and tranquility to us in Ibadanland. May God uphold the family that he has left. I sympathise with my younger brother Senator Kola Balogun. May God console you and the entire Balogun family.”
Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians have paid glowing tributes to the late monarch. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who announced the demise of Oba Balogun, through a statement issued late on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said: “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.”
