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From Bola Ogunlayi, Ibadan.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lekan Moshood Ishola Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, has joined his ancestors.
He was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
He reportedly succumbed to death on Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief illness.
Oba Balogun, aged 81, was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning, having stayed indoors throughout Tuesday due to slight malaria fever.
He was said to be hail and hearty on Monday.
He was said to have personally received a few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on Monday.
His younger brother, Sen. Kola Balogun, who doubles as Baba-Kekere Olubadan, announced the monarch’s passage in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.
The statement indicated that the foremost traditional ruler would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home,Agodi area of the Oyo State capital by 4pm on Friday according to Islamic rites
It read that Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified by daybreak today (Friday).
The late Olubadan, a British trained P.hd holder, former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former governorship candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, former Senator and a successful business man, was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch.
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.
On Tuesday, he 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.
The report was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children, and grandchildren.
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