Barely, 72 hours after his two years reign as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun (CFR), Alli Okunmade II, bowed out gracefully at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan during a brief illness.

The death occurred in the evening of Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Aged 81, the late monarch was taken to the hospital on Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was said to be hale and hearty on Monday, during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second anniversary on the throne.

Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan, and his younger brother, Dr. Sen. Kola Balogun, through a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

According to the statement, Senator Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said the state Governor,. Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.

The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a Ph.d holder and former university lecturer, was a member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), and a successful business man.

His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting, which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was taken. He, however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature yesterday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.

Survived by wives, children, and grandchildren, the late Olubadan represented the state at the Senate.

A renowned technocrat, politician and author, he started his primary education at CAC Modern School, Anlugbua, and lived with one of his brothers, the late Hamzat Balogun, who was a civil servant but was studying privately for the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level (GCE O’L).

While he was also subscribing to Rapid Result College in the UK to enhance his performance in the examination, Lekan was secretly reading his brother’s correspondence tutorials, which became very helpful to him when he wrote his qualifying tests, which was like ‘G4’ at the time.

While in the second year of the three-year modern school programme, Lekan sat for the qualifying examination and passed. Therefore, he left school without completing the programme.

In his condolence message, Senator Sharafadeen Alli (All Progressives Congress (APC) – Oyo South), expressed profound shock and sorrow over the Olubadan’s untimely demise.

The lawmaker, in a statement, described his passing as a monumental loss not only to the people of Ibadan, but for the entire state.

Alli, the Maye Balogun of Ibadanland, expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathised with the family, friends, as well as subjects of the late Olubadan, who ascended the throne just two years ago.

He said that the news of Oba Balogun’s transition to join his ancestors at the age of 82 has sent shockwaves through the traditional and political spheres of Ibadanland.

Alli said that Balogun’s relatively short but impactful reign marked a period of unity, progress and community development.

“I join the people of Ibadanland in mourning the loss of a beloved monarch and leader. I stand in solidarity with the community in honouring the legacy and contributions of Oba Balogun,” he said.

He emphasised the enduring impact of his leadership and the indelible mark he left on the cultural tapestry of Ibadan, saying Balogun’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of many.

The expression of shock and sorrow by the Ibadan chief echoed the sentiments of a community united in grief over the loss of a revered monarch.

Alli said that Oba Balogun’s memory would forever be enshrined in the annals of Ibadan’s history.

The senator’s statement reflected a sense of shared grief and reverence for the late Olubadan, who embodied wisdom, grace and dedication to the welfare of his people.

It served as a testament to the enduring impact of his reign and the profound influence he wielded during his tenure.

Senator Alli’s statement underscored the deep respect and admiration he held for the late Olubadan, recognising his pivotal role in upholding the rich cultural heritage as well as traditions of Ibadan.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, in his condolence message, said the late oba lived a great and fulfilled life.

“This is another loss not only to Ibadanland but to Oyo State in general. We lost a great king and a special one at that. Late Oba Sen. Lekan will be greatly missed by everyone of us. Baba’s two years reign was peaceful and eventful. “

Ogundoyin said Oyo State would miss the elderly and wise counselling of the royal father whose proficiency and wealth of knowledge cut across both administrative and political experiences.

“The late Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun was an accomplished academic, administrator, editor, writer and publisher as well as a successful politician. To sum it up, he was an all round achiever. May his soul find repose with his creator, Allah. My sincere condolences to the Government of Oyo State, the people of Ibadanland and the family of the late Olubadan,” Oyo Speaker said.

In another message, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigene, CCII, Sulaimon Ajewole, described the reign of Oba Balogun, as short but full of accomplishments and progress.

Speaking with newsmen, President-General, CCII, said though the reign lasted just two years and three days, Ibadanland would always remember him for peace and development.

He said Oba Balogun, as a Senator, scholar and indigene of Ibadanland, contributed immensely to the completion of Olubadan palace, adding that CCII thought he would be the first king to adorn the palace.

Oba Olalekan Balogun who was presented the staff of office by Governor Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022, joined his ancestors on Thursday at the age 81.
Florence Ajimobi, wife of immediate past Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi, who is also the President of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF), said the Olubadan’s death came as a shock coming at a most unexpected time.

The statement read: “With a deep sense of loss, I write on behalf of myself and the Senator Abiola Ajimobi family to express our sincere condolences on the unexpected transition of our dear, highly revered Baba, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Mahoud Olalekan Balogun.

“Indeed, his death came as a rude shock to my entire family and I, occurring at a most painful period when his wise and sage counsel was most needed.

“With his death, there is no doubt that Oyo State, the State Council of Obas, the Olubadan -in- Council, the entire Ibadanland, the Olori and members of Kabiyesi’s immediate and extended families have lost a wonderful and loving monarch.

“As Olubadan, though his reign was not as long expected, he was a major backbone to all sons and daughters of Ibadanland.

“He was also able to contribute immensely to the progress and development of Ibadanland.

“Kabiyesi has no doubt left an indelible imprint in our lives and the society he served diligently till his transition. Though no soothing words can ease the pains of kabiyesi’s passing, we take solace in the life of impact he led and the indelible legacy he left behind.

“We also take deep consolation in the words of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela that: “Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers as his duty to his people… he can rest in peace”.

“Without doubt, Kabiyesi had done his duties to the people of Oyo State, the entire Ibadanland and he can rest in peace while we will continue to remember him for his good deeds.”

Armed with the G4 certificate, he travelled to the United Kingdom where he studied for his O and A levels certificates while doing a part-time job to sustain himself- all under 18 years of age.

He left the university in 1973 with a master’s degree in administration and economics and had a brief stint with the Lamberth Local Government Social Services Department, where he worked for one and a half years after which his academic inclination took the better of him and he enrolled for his PhD.

In 1973, he resumed as a research fellow at ABU Centre for Social and Economic Research and also had the option of working as a lecturer at the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University but he chose ABU instead because of the desire to relate with other people away from his birthplace and to know their cultures and traditions.

It was during his sojourn in the UK that Lekan developed the white-black consciousness which crystallised into activism and the struggle for human rights. To give vent to his passion, he joined the leftist Marxist movement.

He joined politics in 1978, when he joined the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) of the late Mallam Aminu Kano. His charisma, honesty and gallantry soon saw him climbing the political ladder with ease and grace that eventually accorded him the respect and recognition of the political overlords of Oyo State.

Within a short period of time, he had made his mark as an astute politician, activist and champion of downtrodden masses. He later became the gubernatorial candidate of one of the major political parties in the country, the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was an erudite scholar, author, former senator and public intellectual.

Meanwhile, the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is likely to be crowned as the next Olubadan, subject to the approval of the state governor. He is the next in line to the late Olubadan.

Olakulehin, who heads the Balogun line, hails from Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government.

He was a member of the House of Representative in the Third Republic.

Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, said the Ibadan traditional system remains unchanged, adding that the seat of Olubadan is not vacant.

Senator Ladoja who said this at the Olubadan palace Oja’ba, Ibadan, ahead of the lying-in-state for the demised Oba Balogun, revealed that there is no controversy in the appointment of new Olubadan.

He added that Olubadan in Council will embark on the coronation process of 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 organised and unshakable traditional system.

He said the next Olubadan and the 43rd will emerge from the Balogun line of the Ibadan traditional system.

It is expected that palace drummers will move from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale Palace of Ọba Olakulehin, heralding his symbolic ascension to the throne.