The Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, paid a condolence visit on Thursday to the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr.) Mohood Lekan Balogun, ensuring a befitting burial for the late monarch.
This came as the eight-day fidau of the late monarch holds today.
Speaking at the Alarere home of the late Olubadan, Governor Makinde described as painful the fact that Oba Balogun did not fulfil the desire to be the first Olubadan to occupy the ultramodern Olubadan palace.
Reminiscing about his long-standing relationship with Oba Balogun, he said the late monarch will be remembered for bringing peace and stability to the Olubadan Chieftaincy System within his short period of reign.
While assuring a state burial for the late monarch in due course, Makinde said the state government had already approved funds for the Fidau Prayers for the late Oba holding today.
He urged the family of the monarch to remain united, promising to always do the needful as the situation arises.
Makinde recalled his instruction to the authorities of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, where the monarch passed away last Thursday evening, that he should be given the utmost care to ensure his survival and maintained that the death was simply at the appointed time of God.
Makinde said, “A lot of people may not know how close we used to be. Our relationship was beyond politics. But let me say that this is not the time for us to mourn but to celebrate the life of Baba and his contribution to Ibadanland, the traditional institution, and Oyo State.
“If you recall, we had serious issues with our traditional institution before his ascension to the throne of Olubadan. Things were falling apart, and it was painful. So, I told Baba, as the next Olubadan, that he should withdraw the case in court so that I could sign. All of that happened, and we were able to resolve the matter. That is why his death is painful to me.
“He died at a time when he had brought peace and stability to the traditional institution in Ibadanland, and I was looking forward to the continued stability. But as humans, we can only plan. The final call belongs to the Almighty.
“This morning, I immediately approved funds for the Fidau programme because he is my Baba as well, and we will do everything to give Baba a befitting burial.
“I want to urge the family to stay united, because when there is unity, it will allow us to channel our energy to make progress.
“I want to assure you that in my capacity as the governor of this state, I will do everything to support the family.
Earlier in his welcome address on behalf of the Alli Iwo Family, a former Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, appreciated Makinde for his support for the late monarch during his lifetime.
He mentioned the construction of a road leading to the palace, the massive infrastructural development in the city of Ibadan, and the financial resources committed towards the construction of the new palace for the Olubadan as some of the commendable efforts of the governor.
Also speaking on behalf of the immediate family, the first daughter of the late Oba Balogun, Mrs Funmilayo Osinowo, thanked the governor for his love and care for their father during his lifetime.
Meanwhile, a press statement issued on the visit by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, disclosed that he had approved a sum of N55 million for the Eighth Day Fidau Prayer to be organised by the 11 Ibadanland Local Government Councils through the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The governor was quoted as promising to give the departed Olubadan a befitting burial after the Ramadan Fast.
Insisting that the least he could do for the late Olubadan was to give him a befitting burial, Makinde said it was as a result of his commitment to Balogun’s reign that he was obliged to do everything within his power to ensure the completion of the new Ibadan Palace when approached by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
He said the Council had approached him and said it would want the late Oba Balogun to be the first occupier of the palace, which he said was well received, and he ensured the release of money to do the job, which has gotten to an advanced stage now, but, as human beings, “we can only propose while God disposes.”
Shortly before the governor and his entourage arrived, the Otun Olubadan and the former governor of the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, led some members of the Ibadan South East Local Government Traditional Council, where he’s the acting chairman, on a condolence visit to the late Olubadan residence.
During the visit, High Chief Ladoja paid glowing tributes to the man he usually referred to as his senior brother, recalling that their relationship, which subsisted both in politics and the Ibadan traditional system, had spanned over decades, during which he found his late brother to have a very peaceful personality.
The late Oba Balogun, according to him, had no room for grudges against anybody as everybody was his friend. “He was a man who was not ready to fight with anybody for whatever reason. So, if you even wanted to fight him and he was not ready for a fight, you would have no choice but to pocket your grievances.
“I personally was happy that his health had improved recently, and I always have commendation to her, Oloris, for the proper care being given to him. So, when, at his instance, we came here last Thursday for a meeting and got to know he was away to the hospital, we thought it was just a routine medical check-up, unknown to us that he was bidding us a final bye later that day,” said High Chief Ladoja.
The former governor, who promised not to abandon the family, urged the family members to be cheerful and grateful to the Almighty Allah for the good and impactful life led by their departed patriarch.
On hand to receive the guests were the three surviving Oloris of the late Olubadan: Olayinka, Olufunmilayo, and Khalimat; his junior brother, Dr. Sen. Kolawole Balogun; some of the children, including Mrs. Olufunmilayo Osinowo, Femi, Yinka, Bidemi, Jubril, Saheed, and Wale; Ekerin Olubadan; Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Bobajiro of Ibadanland; Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu; and Iyaloja General of Oyo State, Chief Mrs. Julianah Raimi.
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