Culture

Condolence: Dignitaries Throng Late Oba Lekan Balogun’s Residence

By Web News 565

By Wale Asake

Following the demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun dignitaries have continued to pay condolence visits to the bereaved family at the late monarch’s residence, Alarere, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Some of the personalities who earlier on Wednesday visited the late Olubadan’s residence include a foremost legal luminary, Chief Niyi Akintola, S.A.N; a former board member of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Chief Bolajoko Doherty, a former Head of Service in Oyo State Civil Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and representatives of traditional rulers from Oke Ogun Zone of Oyo State.

In their separate remarks, Chief Bolajoko Doherty and Secretary-General of Oke-Ogun Obas who is also the Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji described the deceased as an enigmatic monarch whose entire life was dedicated to the service of ‎God and humanity and this was evident in his peaceful and harmonious reign in Ibadanland.

The sympathisers urged the family to take solace in the fact that Oba Balogun lived a good life and left a great legacy worthy of emulation by all sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

They described the transition of the Oba Balogun as a colossal loss not only to the family but also to Ibadan land, Oyo State and the entire nation adding that his legacies would remain in the hearts of the people.

Other members of the traditional rulers from Oke Ogun Zone of Oyo State who also paid their condolences were, Ona-Onibode of Igboho, Eleyinpo of Ipapo and Alamodu of Ago-Amodu.

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Culture

Dignitaries Pay Last Respects at Olubadan’s Lying-in-State

By Web News 1431

By Mosope Kehinde

A lying-in state has been held in honour of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun at the ancient Mapo hall, Oja’ba Ibadan.

Our correspondent reports that the programme which was to allow dignitaries to pay last respects to the late monarch had in attendance Ibadan chiefs, religious and market leaders government functionaries, sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Otun Olubadan and former governor of Oyo state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, Maye Olubadan, Chief Lekan Alabi, Senator Kola Balogun and family members of the late Olubadan.

Speaking shortly before the commencement of the lying In state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, said that the Ibadan traditional system remains unchanged noting that the seat of Olubadan is not vacant.

Senator Ladoja who revealed that there is no controversy in the appointment of a new Olubadan explained that Olubadan-in-Council will embark on the Coronation process of a new Olubadan immediately after the burial of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Balogun.

Also speaking with newsmen, Maye Olubadan, Chief Lekan Alabi, praised the ancestors of Ibadanland who established the well-organized and unshakable traditional system.

Chief Alabi who urged Ibadan indigenes to take solace in the fact that Oba Balogun lived a meaningful life called for maximum support for the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Prayer was later offered for the repose of the deceased and the family he left behind

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Culture

No date yet for coronation of new Olubadan – Ladoja

By Web News 650

The Olubadan-in-Council, on Friday, said there was no specific date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

A former governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, made this announcement shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, at his Alalubosa residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The meeting followed the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, whose reign ended Thursday after two years on the throne.

He died at 81 at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Ladoja explained that Ibadan already has Olubadan-designate and there is no question about that.

He said, “The departed monarch (Oba Balogun) came from the Otun line, the next monarch will be from the Balogun line. So, the head of the Balogun line is the Balogun of Ibadanland, who has become the Olubadan-designate.

“We all know that Ibadan does things accordingly, if a king dies, we already know who is next, and we refer to him as designate.

“We are here to formalise what is next after the burial rites of the deceased would have been completed. We also discussed how to give a befitting burial to the deceased.

“Since the deceased is a Muslim, he has to be buried in the Islamic way, and the Islamic way is that he has to be buried today (Friday). So, it has been decided that he will be buried today at Aliiwo, which is his ancestral home by 4 pm today.

“There is no date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan, but the date shall be announced as soon as the burial rite for the deceased is completed.”

Among members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the meeting include Ladoja; Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Oba Adebayo Akande; and Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Culture

Olubadan for Burial Friday

By Web News 467

By Fasilat Lawal

The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun Alli Okunmade II, will be interred according to Islamic rites today at 4 p.m. at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

This is contained in a statement by the late Olubadan’s younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun.

 Senator Kola Balogun said the executive governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has been informed.

 He said the late Olubadan was a British-trained PhD holder, a former lecturer, a former senator and a successful businessman.

Meanwhile, the President General, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Alhaji Sulaiman Adewole, has described the demise of the Olubadan Oba Lekan Balogun as a great loss to Ibadanland and Oyo State.

Alhaji Sulaiman Adewole stated this when he led some of his executives on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

He said that though the late Olubadan’s reign was short, it was impactful, progressive and recorded tremendous achievement. 

Recall that the late Ibadan monarch joined his ancestors at the age of 81 last night at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a brief illness.

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Environment

Olubadan Wields Big Stick on Mogaji Over Land Dispute

By Web News 428

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Friday, ordered the immediate suspension of one of his Mogajis, Chief Olawale Oladoja, Mogaji Akinsola, following his dastard activities in the Akinsola Village in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The community came into the limelight on Thursday, following the clamping down on the residents of the community by the Mogaji Akinsola, claiming that he had gotten court judgments to prove that the land upon which they built their houses was not legally sold to them.

It would be recalled that about 200 houses in the community under reference were on Wednesday put under lock and key and red- marked which he said, was to prove his being in charge.

The action threw the residents out of their houses, leading some of them to sleep in the open throughout the night following which they protested to the Olubadan Palace on Thursday.

The complaints and the public outcry that greeted the matter which trended on the internet led to the emergency meeting conveyed on Friday, which had in attendance the Olubadan, some of the members of his Advisory Council, the representatives of Ibadan Mogajis led by Chief Asimiyu Adepoju Ariori, Mogaji Akinsola and the representatives of the residents and where the decision to suspend the Mogaji and other actions were taken.

Briefing the press after the meeting, the Personal Assistant (Media) to Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola disclosed that three communities, Akinsola, Aponmode and Labinkulu were actually affected by the action with the other two communities as represented by Baale Aponmode, Dauda Bolarinwa Aponmode and Morufu Raufu, relaying how they were recruited by Mogaji Akinsola to join him in reclaiming the land from the landlords and how they turned him down.

In his presentation, Mogaji Akinsola told the monarch and his members of Advisory Council that he made several attempts to resolve the matter before he decided to take action.

He disclosed that the matter was also reported to the palace and moves were being made to intervene but didn’t wait for the conclusion of the palace intervention before he approached the security agents for the execution of the court judgment that gave his family the right of ownership of the disputed land.

The Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi who read the riot act on behalf of the Olubadan Advisory Council said: “Several facts were established here today and they pointed to the fact that Mogaji Akinsola didn’t follow the code of conduct usually handed down to both Mogajis and Baales when being appointed.”

“In this instance, the case was already in the Palace, but, did you inform the palace before the police was invited?”

“Your action inconvenient, embarrassed the Olubadan stool and the Ibadanland. You crossed the line and the Council has decided that you be suspended as Mogaji, you are ordered to tender public apology to the people inconvenienced.”

“You defied Olubadan, took laws into your hands by going ahead to take such drastic decision. This will serve as deterrents to others who fail to appreciate and recognize the responsibility their position as either Baale or Mogaji entails.”

“Your suspension will last for as long as it takes to resolve the problem you have created,” Ashipa Olubadan added.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Economy

New Naira: Olubadan Hails Judgment, Tasks FG on Easing Nigerians’ Pains

By Web News 437

By Maxwell Oyekunle

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has tasked the Federal Government to use the Supreme Court judgment on the legality of the old currency notes to ease the pains and tension in the land.

Oba Balogun who gave this reaction in a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola, hailed the ruling of the apex court which extended the legality of old currency notes till the 31st December this year.

The monarch praised the Supreme Court for standing by the people at this critical moment “when living is becoming extremely difficult for ordinary citizens” .

He appealed to the federal government to allow people to access their funds in the banks so that many crumbling businesses can rise again, saying, “the current policy putting a ceiling on how much an individual can get from his/her account in the banks should be reviewed”“.

Recalling the twin problems of hike in fuel pump price and cash crunch occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and Naira redesign policy respectively almost at the same time, the first class monarch noted that the two policies resulted in excruciating pains for the people, adding, “I felt deep pains seeing people queuing up at filling stations and banks at the same time.”

But, with the Friday judgment making the old notes valid till the end of this year, Oba Balogun said, “It is a great opportunity for the FG to bring succour to the people by releasing money to the populace”.

“The last couple of weeks were too traumatic for the people and it is hoped that the Supreme Court judgment would be a platform to lean on by the government to ease the pains in the land”, the monarch observed.

Oba Balogun praised the people for their resilience and perseverance through it all and for not allowing the problems to prevent them from performing their civic responsibility by coming out to vote in the last Saturday presidential and National Assembly election.

The Olubadan then urged them to also demonstrate the same patriotism come next week when the Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections would be held.

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Culture

Olubadan in Iwo, Hails Oluwo’s Quest for Progress, Development

By Web News 1479

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II on Tuesday commended the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba AbdulRoshid Akanbi Adewale Telu 1 for his commitment to growth, progress and development of his people and Yorubaland in general, describing him as an asset to mankind.

Oba Balogun gave this commendation during his visit to the Oluwo in his palace at Iwo alongside some members of Olubadan-in-Council, Senior Chiefs and Mogajis as well as some Aliwo sons and daughters led by the Oyo South Senator, Dr. Kola Balogun.

At the carnival-like reception in the beautifully decorated hall where there were some Obas from around the ancient Iwo Town in attendance, including Alawo of Awo, Akire of Ikire, Onileegbo of Ileegbo among others, Olubadan expressed surprise at the turn-out of the people noting that he only came back home on a private visit to his brother and friend.

Describing the Oluwo as a brilliant monarch, Oba Balogun said his activities over the years had proved him as somebody with knack for achievements among which he said culminated in the recent decision by the two governments of Oyo and Osun States to rehabilitate the road connecting that two states that runs from Ibadan (Oyo State capital) through Iwo to Osogbo (the capital of Osun State).

In his short speech, the Oluwo described the visit as very unique and important to him, saying, “that somebody from Iwo lineage rose to become Olubadan of Ibadanland, the largest city in West Africa and the third of such in the whole continent of Africa during his reign as Oluwo gives him great joy that is even difficult to express”.

“I’m aware that the history of Aliiwo is also traced to Ogbomoso which nobody can dispute, but, the centrality and importance of Iwo makes it special and which is reflected in the suffix-Alli Iwo. They are called by that name because they hail from Iwo, otherwise, they would have called them ‘Alli Ogbomoso’. Frankly speaking, we are one and that’s what we should all hold on to”.

Oba AbdulRashid Akanbi Adewale thanked the Olubadan and his entourage for the visit with a promise to continue doing all within his power and ability to improve his environment, urging for the cooperation and support of all.

“The efforts that produced the rehabilitation of the Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road by the state governments concerned are still very much there for similar purpose as occasion may demand“, he added.

The Chairman, Iwo Board of Trustees, Professor Lai Olorode in his welcome address during the visit said, he could not recall when last an Olubadan visited the ancient Iwo Town, noting that though, the late Alaafin visited the town, the visit could not be compared with the one by Olubadan with the massive entourage.

The former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner praised Ibadan for its hospitality, recalling that, “it is a place where people go to and make it in life. Yet, it never diminishes in growth, ever-expanding and one other unique characteristic of Ibadans is that they don’t forget home wherever they may be”.

Adewumi Faniran

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Sport

Prioritise physically challenged athletes’ welfare – Olubadan

By Web News 568

Authorities saddled with sporting activities across the country have been urged to ensure that physically challenged Athletes are given their dues in terms of remunerations and other incentives that would encourage them to give their best at all times.

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade ll said this during the visit of members of the Nigeria Blind Sport Association to him in his Alarere Palace on Sunday.

Olubadan, who expressed delight at the performance of the athletes from Oyo State at the recently held Paralympics in Abuja said “physically challenged athletes proved to the whole world that their disability was not an hindrance to put into use what their creator deposits in them and the minimum irreducible the government can do is to give them encouragement.

“In the developed world, nobody, irrespective of the physical physiology or whatever is considered useless and unfit
Hence, the environment over there creates conducive space for each and everyone to function according to his or her capacity and that’s why you see everybody making contributions to their society without let or hindrance.

“We, as a country should borrow a leaf from them over there by ensuring that we give necessary encouragement to our disabled, not only those in athletics, but in all human endeavours towards making life meaningful and worth living for them. The goal ball match demonstrated this afternoon was unique and deserves attention towards listing it among future Paralympics events”, Olubadan stated further.

The National Coordinator of the association, Mr. Muyiwa Fatogun expressed gratitude to the monarch for the privilege given to the association to visit him, saying that if all the people in exalted positions are like Kabiyesi, the plights of the physically challenged in the society would be greatly reduced.

Speaking in the same vein, the Oyo State Coordinator of the association, Mr. Kayode Dada, who also doubles as Coach for goal ball and blind soccer said the members of the association have great potentials that could enhance the medals’ haul of Oyo contingents in any competition that involves the disabled.

Adewumi Faniran/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

2023: Folarin Declares Guber Bid As Balogun Leads Supporters To APC

By Web News 821

In a two-in-one event similar to using one stone to kill two birds, Senator Teslim Folarin, lawmaker representing Oyo central, will be declaring his gubernatorial bid while his colleague in Oyo south, Kola Balogun, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, will be formalizing it.

At an event coming up tomorrow at the party secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Senator Folarin would be unveiling his ambition to be Governor in the presence of party faithful, supporters and lovers who have been mobilized for the event.

After submitting his letter, close associates of Folarin, who once contested the governorship under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015, would visit his local government of Ona Ara to also brief party leaders.

The Ibadan senior chief, who will soon be elevated from his Ayingun Olubadan to a bigger title, is one of the 6 APC governorship aspirants who have bought the party’s interest of expression and nomination forms.

Also, the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Kola Balogun will also be publicly announcing his defection into the APC having bid his former party PDP farewell.

”Fortunately, though unknown to the two senators, they have chosen the same day. That is why we are a doing a two-in-one event tomorrow. Folarin will be declaring his guber bid officially while Balogun will be making his first public appearance as an APC member tomorrow,” a party source who didn’t want name in print told OYOINSIGHT.COM.

His defection comes two weeks after Muraina Ajibola, Remi Oseni, Yemi Aderibigbe, Demola Omotoso Adekola Adeoye joined the APC from the PDP.


He will be battling the likes of Adesoji Akanbi, Kolapo Kola-Daisi, Adegoke Adegboyega, Remi Oseni, Bimbo Adekanmbi and host of others who may still obtain the senatorial forms in Oyo south.
Oyoinsight/Taiwo Akinola

Culture

Clerics, Monarchs, Others Hail Alaafin @8th Day Fidau

By Web News 1253

The 8th Day Inter-religious prayers for the departed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III could be likened to a day of tributes as religious and traditional leaders eulogised the impactful life of the monarch.

Leading Fidau prayers for the monarch, the Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mashood Ajokidero pointed out that Oba Adeyemi was a devout worshipper of Allah, who lived a fulfilled life.

While delivering a lecture, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Faruq-Onikijipa who described death as a manifestation of God’s supremacy over all human beings enjoined people to be conscious of the day they would render their stewardship before Allah.

The cleric who stressed that Oba Adeyemi was a prominent creature before God, cautioned people against passing unwarranted comments about his private life.

The chairman, of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Oyo zone, Reverend Akin Alabi while describing the Alaafin as a monarch who accommodated all religions, urged Nigerians to live in accordance with the will of God.

Speaking on behalf of all traditional rulers, the Ona Onibode of Igboho land, Oba Abdrosheed Jayeola attributed the elevation of many traditional rulers in Oke-Ogun to the crown-wearing status to the efforts of the departed Alaafin and called on the Oyomesi to source for a suitable successor for the sustenance of Yoruba culture.

Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Akinade-Ayoola stated that the death of Oba Adeyemi was a collective loss to the Yoruba race.

The Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Yakubu Bello and the Igbo Leader of Oyo State, Chief Aloysius Chukwu described Oba Adeyemi as detribalised, peace-loving and an enigma worthy of emulation.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, a representative of the Yoruba people in the Bènin Republic, Dr Clement Kusiade, the Umu Muminat of Oyo State, Alhaja Kafilat Kaola and an aide to Oba Adeyemi, Mr Chinedu Joel described the monarch as a rare gem who showcased Yoruba culture across the world, saying the monarch would be missed for his fatherly role. 

The well-attended prayer session had in attendance the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, represented by Oba Adekunle Adebowale, the Olubaban of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, represented by the Osi Olubaban, High Chief Edward Oyewole, and the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi.

Sherifdeen Nashirdeen

Culture

Olubadan Seeks Cooperation of Non-Indigenes, Promises to be Father to All

By Web News 686

Non-Ibadan residents were on Saturday enjoined to live peacefully with their hosts and cooperate with the Olubadan towards ensuring that nobody is treated unjustly.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II made the call at his Alarere residence while hosting the executive members of the Ibadan Zone of Ofa Descendants Union, ODU, who paid him a congratulatory visit.

Oba Balogun, who remarked that Ibadan has for a very long time in history being a melting pot of different nationalities and this would not change under his reign, rather, he said the Palace would encourage the metropolis to be more conducive for Indigenes and non-indigenes alike.

To however complement his gesture, the monarch declared the need for all to live peacefully among themselves, adding that, “the accommodating nature of Ibadan is second to none, which accounts for our daily expansion to our joy and satisfaction”.

“It is however incumbent upon our visitors to reciprocate Ibadan’s good nature by shunning all forms of acts capable of disrupting the age-long tradition of good neighborliness and I want to assure you of my fairness to all in the relationship between the residents and the Palace as a father of all”, Olubadan stated.

The Chairman of ODU, Dr. Adekunle Ibrahim, who led other members of the executive committee on the visit explained that the union, “is the apex umbrella body for all sons and daughters of the ancient town (Ofa) and the Ibadan zone of the union is on the visit to thank God for the grace granted our reverred father to mount the Olubadan throne”.

“Ibadan has been a home to us where we are living and prospering within our respective capacities. We are here, Kabiyesi to felicitate you on this historic occasion of your ascension to the throne and assure Your Majesty of our unflinching cooperation and support with prayer that our God will grant you long life on the throne in sound and robust health”, Adekunle stated.

Tunde Abiodun

Economy

Olubadan Promises Support for Resusitation of Oyo Trade Fair

By Web News 813

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has expressed excitement over the planned Oyo State Trade Fair by the Ibadan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, ICCI.

Oba Balogun, while reacting to the idea of staging the trade fair which would be a resuscitation of the event which has been rested over 13 years ago, said he and his Advisory Council (Olubadan-in-Council) would give all the necessary support for its success.

The monarch charged the leadership of the ICCI to look into ways by which the glory of the ancient metropolis as an industrial hub could be returned because of the concomitant ripple effects on the economy and the lives of the residents generally.

Oba Balogun commended the new President of the ICCI, Architect Samson Bamidele for his concern and commitment to the welfare of the people in his private business as a reputable dealer in petroleum products.

He said, ‘’the philanthropic gesture of Architect Bamidele is remarkable and acknowledged, not only within Ibadan metropolis but across the country and this must have been part of why he was elected the ICCI President”.

The ICCI President, Mr Samson Bamidele had told the monarch, who was supported by one of his High Chiefs, Ashipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole to receive the team that the Chamber was worried about the sudden backward position Ibadan receded to in terms of industrialization.

Architect Bamidele lamented the closure of virtually all the industries that made Ibadan tick in the past and which made it to rival other places like Lagos and Ogun with a promise to reverse the trend, noting that “part of our efforts in that direction is to first of all resuscitate the moribond Trade Fair which was held last about 13 years ago”.

“While Lagos State holds its Trade Fair annually, other states in the South West ensure the event is not permanently put in the cooler as Oyo State has done. We are changing the narrative. We are awaiting the state government’s nod to put machinery in motion for the event and hopefully by September/October, the Fair would be held”.

He sought  the support and cooperation of Olubadan and his Advisory Council towards the success of the proposed Trade Fair, stressing that the ICCI, being one of the oldest in the country, having been founded since 1960 could not afford to trade with its pivotal position in the comity of Chambers of Commerce and Industry across the country.

Ridwan Fasasi

Culture

Olubadan Elevates Seven Chiefs

By Web News 1356

The newly elevated Chiefs in the Ibadan Traditional system have been told to work in unity for the growth, progress and development of the Ibadanland.

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, said this while performing the elevation exercise for seven Chiefs that got promoted in the Balogun line of the Ibadan Traditional system.

The monarch, who maintained that the task of taking Ibadan to another level calls for the cooperation and support of all said, “there is need for unity of purpose among you, my esteemed Chiefs in order for me and my members of Advisory Council to drive the expected agenda of Ibadan growth and development”.

Oba Balogun emphasized that the task of directing the affairs of the ancient city is a responsibility for all, especially those saddled with leadership roles among whom are the traditional title holders.

Reacting on behalf of the elevated Chiefs, the new Gbonka and Aare Onibon, Kayode Afolabi Kadelu and Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke commended the Olubadan for his advice with a promise to heed his call.

Chief Kadelu said, “Kabiyesi has started very well. The last time I put on this particular dress was nine years ago and that must express how happy I am on this occasion. As charged by our revered father, I promise to do my best in concert with my colleague Chiefs towards a better Ibadan”.

In his comment, Chief Adegoke disclosed his readiness also to work for the progress of Ibadanland, saying, “I’m ready to partner not only with my colleague-Chiefs for the upliftment of our ancient metropolis but also with our revered monarch and his Council members towards achieving their lofty ideas for a better Ibadan”.

The newly promoted Chiefs in the Balogun line were Babajide Taofeek Ayoade (Lagunna), Lateef Adetokunbo Akintola (Oota), Nureni Adebayo Akanbi (Aaregbeomo), Kayode Afolabi Kadelu (Gbonka), Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke (Aare Onibon), Monsur Abiola Arulogun (Bada) and Tayewo Akande Ige (Ajia).

ST Abiodun

Culture

Ibadan Chieftancy: Sharafadeen Alli, Eight others elevated

By Web News 2242

Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Lekan Balogun has charged nine newly promoted  Chiefs to uphold the traditional values of Ibadan and the dignity of their office.

Oba Balogun gave the Charge during the Installation and promotion of some chiefs at his Aliiwo Palace in Ibadan.

The Olubadan urged the new chiefs to see their elevation as a call to service. 

 Oluwo Afobaje of Ibadan land, Alhaji Popoola Mosadogun, who performed the rites decorated each of the chiefs as directed by Oba Lekan Balogun. 

 The new chiefs are Chief Akeem Adewoyin from maye to Abese Balogun, 

Chief Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli from Ekefa to maye Balogun,  Chief Adegboyega Adeniran  from agbaakin to Ekefa, and Chief Taiwo Oyekan from Aare Alasa to Agbaakin,

Others are Chief Raufu Eleruwere from Ikolaba to Aare Alasa, Chief Emiola Onideure from Asaju to Ikolaba, Chief Tirimisiyu Obisesan from Ayingun to Asaju, Chief Wasiu Ajimobi from Aare Ago to Ayingun, Chief Gboyega Mikail from Lagunna to Aare Ago.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Culture

Obasanjo Pays Homage to New Olubadan 

By Web News 1496

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Tuesday Morning paid homage to the new Olubadan,  Oba Lekan Balogun. 

Chief Obasanjo was welcomed into Alarere residence of the new Olubadan with pomp and ceremony courtesy of Olubadan traditional singers and drummers.

The former President during the short visit had a lively discussion with Oba Lekan  Balogun where both had a breakfast of Ogi (pap) and MoinMoin together.

Ridwan Fasasi

Culture

Makinde Visits New Olubadan, Holds Closed Meeting

By Web News 784

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has paid a visit to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun.

The governor on arrival at the Alarere residence of the new Olubadan had a short closed-door meeting with him. 

Our correspondent reports that the governor was welcomed with praise singing by Olubadan traditional singers and drummers.

Ridwan Fasasi

Culture

Coronation of New Olubadan Holds March 11

By Web News 938

Oyo State government has fixed the coronation of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun for Friday, March 11 .

The exercise is expected to hold at the ancient Mapo Hall.

This is contained in a letter to the new Olubadan and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju.

Ridwan Fasasi

Religion

Oyo Muslim Community Congratulates New Olubadan

By Web News 2101

Muslim Community of Oyo State has congratulated Oba Lekan Balogun on his appointment as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by the Chairman, Alhaji Kunle Sanni and the Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade.

The community is elated and full of praise to Allah for counting the new Olubadan worthy to be bestowed this enviable honour. 

“Not all that climb the ladder of Olubadan ascendancy get to the zenith of the stool. Only a chosen few attain it. “We, therefore, thank Allah and appreciate him for counting our revered father, Alhaji Senator Moshood Olalekan Balogun, PhD, from Ali-Iwo compound, as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

The Muslim Ummah also prayed for long life and sound health for the new monarch and as well that Ibadan shall enjoy peace and prosperity during the reign of Oba Lekan Balogun. 

“You started this journey in 1986, that was 36 years ago when you became Mogaji Alli-Iwo. We pray to Almighty Allah that you reign for longer than the 36 years.” 

The community believed that the exposure of the new Olubadan as an academic, an administrator and a politician of repute will be a blessing to Ibadanland.

Ridwan Fasasi