Ibadan Loses Monarch, Ọlálékan Balogun 81, After 2 Years in Office
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Ọlálékan Balogun, aged 81, passed away on Thursday evening after a brief hospitalization at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo State, as confirmed by Oladele Ogunsola, the Media Aide of the late monarch.
According to Ogunsola, “Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness,” as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The late monarch’s younger brother, Kola Balogun, disclosed that he was admitted to the hospital due to a “slight malaria fever.” He added, “Baba was hale and hearty on Monday when he personally received the few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.”
In response to the sad news, Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, expressed his condolences, describing the late monarch as “a mighty Iroko.” Makinde’s statement, signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his chief press secretary, announced, “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Makinde further stated, “On behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch. The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage.”
The late monarch, who spent two years on the throne, received the staff of office on March 11, 2022, following endorsement by the Ibadan high chiefs. He succeeded Oba Saliu Adetunji, who passed away on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93.
The burial of the late monarch will take place on Friday evening at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, in accordance with Islamic rites.