Says predecessor left legacy of oneness among Council members
The Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, yesterday, paid a courtesy visit to the family of the late Olubadan, Lekan Balogun, at their compound in Aliiwo.

He was received by Olori Olayinka Balogun, Olori Funmilayo Balogun, Senator Kola Balogun and his wife.

The visit was a fulfilment of Ibadan’s tradition that symbolises continuity and solidarity within the Olubadan-in-Council.

The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, who spoke on behalf of Oba Olakulehin and Olubadan-in-Council, said the visit holds immense significance as it marks a historic first in Ibadan.

Oba Adebimpe said the visit was a reaffirmation of the bond and a gesture of commemoration to the late Olubadan’s family.

Oba Olakulehin said that it was the seed of love and unity planted by the late Olubadan that gave the fruit as witnessed through the visit.

The Olubadan-designate, who described the visit as historic, said that the kind of camaraderie that existed among members of Olubadan Advisory Council during the reign of his predecessor was never heard in Ibadan traditional history.

He recalled that the understanding between him and the late Olubadan was unparalleled as there was never any form of disagreement between the duo while the reign lasted and urged the same bond among the Council members.

He promised that he would build on the legacy left behind by the late Olubadan.

The Olubadan-designate also urged members of the Aliiwo family to be thankful to God for the life and times of their departed patriarch.

In his remarks, the late Olubadan’s brother, Senator Kola Balogun, described the visit of the Olubadan-designate as a new and historical development.

He said such had never been heard in history that Olubadan-designate visited the family of his predecessor, but expressed happiness in witnessing new events, particularly in traditional settings and culture.

Balogun said he saw the visit as a testament to the late Olubadan’s legacy, and believed that the acclaim received since his brother’s passing reflected a reign marked by peace, loyalty, and significant development.

He attributed the achievements to the unity among members of the Olubadan-in-Council and expressed gratitude for his brother’s legacy and life.

Balogun, who was Baba-Kekere Olubadan to the late monarch, insisted that the uniqueness of Ibadan remains unfathomable to the uninitiated when it comes to relationships as Ibadan sons and daughters are always related as brothers and sisters not minding the largeness of the metropolis.

“The outsiders always wonder why we always refer to one another as brother and sister, but, what they don’t know is that the Ibadan people have a way of being related either maternally or paternally and where that does not exist, we become related through marriage and if any of those mentioned is missed, then we become related through our common masquerade festival.

“So, there’s no way an Ibadan man or woman can miss any of those four areas of interactions and that is what makes an indivisible entity despite the largeness of our space and the bigness of our population. What we are seeing today is the demonstration of that oneness and it is my prayer that the unity being demonstrated would lead to a big transformation, growth and development of our land.

“On behalf of our late patriarch and the entire Aliiwo family, I say a big congratulations to Kabiyesi for the grace of being nominated and it is our prayer that God Almighty will grant you good health and longevity of life on the throne. We are happy to receive you and want to assure your Majesty that the family will always be there for you, Kabiyesi,” he added.