Victor EzejaPresident Bola Tinubu has expressed his sadness over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun.
According to a statement released on Friday in Abuja signed by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President commiserated with the family of Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, Olubadan-in-Council, Oyo State Traditional Council and people of Ibadanland over the loss.
Ngelale said that Tinubu mourned the Olubadan and celebrated the Oba’s remarkable life of service to his people, state, and country.
The statement said: “His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity. He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity.
”His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country.”
It added that the President urged all who are in mourning to find solace in the immortal legacies of the Olubadan, stating that he lived eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by his essence.
The Presidential spokesman said Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning the sad loss.
The Olubadan died on Thursday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan after a brief illness and would be buried on Friday, according to Islamic rites.
Accomplished businessman, Balogun was also a Senator between 1999 and 2003 when he represented Oyo Central senatorial district. He had also had earlier worked as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, an editor of the monthly magazine The Nigerian Pathfinder, and as a director with Triumph Newspaper, Kano, as well as a management consultant for multinational Organisations.
He also worked with Shell British Petroleum Company where he rose to the position of the Administrator/Head, Industrial Relations, Recruitment and Scholarships, Planning and Development units
Prime Business Africa recalls that the monarch ascended the throne on 11 March 2022 after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji at 93 years.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
