Barely two days after marking the second anniversary of his ascension to the throne of his forefathers, Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Lekan Balogun (Alli Okunmade II) has joined his ancestors. He was aged 81.
Oba Balogun was presented the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022.
Confirming his death in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday, Makinde said Oba Balogun died Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The governor described the late monarch as a towering figure akin to an Iroko tree.
The late Olubadan will be interred according to Islamic rites today, Friday, March 15, 2024, at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The late Olubadan was born on October 18, 1942. He ascended his forefathers’ throne two years ago after the passage of the late Oba Saliu Adetunji.
On Monday, the late monarch thanked God for the grace and privilege to clock two years on the throne, just as he thanked members of his advisory council for their unflinching support so far. In a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media, Oladele Ogunsola, in Ibadan, he said the second anniversary, which coincided with the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast, was also used as an opportunity by the monarch to ask for prayers for the country by the Islamic faithful and expression of love for one another to make the period stress-free for the adherents. He also said clocking two years on the throne was a special grace by his creator that he could not take for granted.