Olubadan of Ibadan dies at 81

Oba Olalekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has passed away

Late on Thursday night, Dele Ogunsola, the media aide of the traditional ruler of Ibadan, verified the news of the 82-year-old’s passing.

A few hours after being admitted to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oba Balogun passed away.

A family member has declared that the late Olubadan will be buried on Friday night at his Aliwo ancestral house by 4 p.m. in accordance with Islamic customs in Ibadan.

In a statement provided by the late Olubadan’s press assistant, Oladele Ogunsola, his younger brother, Dr. Kola Balogun, revealed that “Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness.”

He said that due to a mild case of malaria, the late traditional ruler of Ibadan spent Tuesday indoors and was subsequently transported to the hospital.

“On Monday, on his second anniversary, Baba was in good health and spirits when he was visited by a few guests to offer congratulations,” Balogun stated.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the deceased Olubadan held a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree and had previously worked as a university lecturer.

In addition, he had been a successful businessman, a former senator, a previous governor candidate for the now-defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), and a managerial staff member of Shell British Petroleum.

The meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, which he presided over on Saturday, was his final official engagement.

The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.