Gov. Makinde eulogises late Olubadan, says mighty “iroko” has fallen

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says the late Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan, who died late Thursday, was the epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever.

Gov. Makinde, while announcing the king’s death in Ibadan around midnight, said the 42nd Olubadan made great marks in Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.

The governor had, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, announced that Oba Balogun joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council, the people of Ibadanland, and Oyo State in general.

“With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“A mighty ‘Iroko’ has fallen. Oba Balogun has joined the ancestors.

“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatness within a short while.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the late Oba Dr. Balogun and pray for the repose of his soul,” he had said.