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Olubadan Joins Ancestors After Just Two Years Reign
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, bowed out gracefully Thursday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, following a brief illness, barely 72 hours after taking the throne.
The late king, who was 81 years old, was brought to the hospital on Wednesday morning after spending the whole Tuesday indoors due to a mild case of malaria. Despite having a small fever on Monday, he was quite well and even had a few visitors on his second anniversary that day.
Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr. Sen. Kola Balogun, made the announcement via a press release provided to Ibadan journalists by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.
The statement claims that Dr. Balogun revealed that, in accordance with Islamic customs, Oba Balogun would be buried at his ancestral home in Aliiwo by 4:00 pm on Friday. Additionally, he stated that, although previously informed verbally, the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, would receive formal notification early on Friday morning.
The late Olubadan was the first and most educated person to become an Ibadan monarch, a former lecturer at a university, a member of the management team at Shell British Petroleum, a former senator, a successful businessman, and a former candidate for governor of the now-defunct Nigeria People's Party (NPP). He also held a PhD from Britain.
The Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he chaired last Saturday and oversaw the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja, was his final official engagement. On Tuesday, however, he gave the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, the order to form a small committee to discuss the decision made last Friday about Ibadan Zone's place in the newly planned Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
At a meeting chaired by Otun Olubadan and High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, the former governor of Oyo State, the small committee's decision was approved earlier on Thursday by the Olubadan Advisory Council. It was scheduled to be presented to the late Oba Balogun for his signature on Friday morning in order to fulfil the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.
The late Olubadan is survived by his wives, children, and grandchildren.