Oba Lekan Balogun buried amidst tears, tributes
By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan
The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun has been laid to rest according to Islamic rites at his ancestral home in Aliiwo, Ibadan.
Oba Balogun who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on Thursday after reigning for two years.
His burial gathered family members, friends, Politicians, subjects and dignitaries who could not hold their tears at the sudden death of the monarch.
The burial rites for the late monarch included a lying-in-state at Mapo Hall from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm before he was interred at his Aliiwo ancestral home.
The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland and former governor of the State, Rashidi Ladoja in his tribute, noted that the late king was highly favored by God because he succeeded in all his endeavors; teaching, career at Shell, politics and royalty.
“God makes no mistake, we have once witnessed the death of both the Balogun and Otun of this land, which paved way for the succeeding king then.
“I thought I would see him yesterday because he was the one who fixed a meeting for yesterday. On getting there, he was absent but we went ahead with the meeting in his name. God who took him away will console us. There is no accident of event and God makes no mistake. No one will die untimely.” He said.
Families, dignitaries and prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland paid tributes to the late monarch who died at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan.
The late monarch’s brother, Senator Kola Balogun, members of the Olubadan-In-Council, representative of the Mogajis in Ibadan; Alh. Ashimiu Ariori, representatives of Baales in the State; Baale Folorunso Bantale, Sikiru Sanda, Vice Chancellor of UI; Prof. Kayode Adebowale, queens, princes and princesses amongst many others were on ground to pay the last homage to the departed king.
Earlier, the Olubadan-In-Council held a meeting to hold discussions on a befitting burial for the late monarch.
The Olubadan-In-Council announced that the coronation plans for the next Olubadan would be fixed after Oba Balogun’s burial.
The meeting was held at the Alalubosa residence of the current Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin who is the next in line on the Balogun succession line.
