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Oloye Lekan Alabi Pays Tribute To Oba LEKAN BALOGUN
The 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Senator Mohood Olalekan Isola Balogun, CFR, ALLI OKUNMADE 11, joined his royal ancestors, after a 2-day illness of malaria fever attack, on Thursday, 14th March, 2024. He was 81. He was buried according to Islamic injunctions on Friday, 15th March, this year at the Alli-Iwo area, Ibadan family compound. May God grant repose to the royal soul of Kabiyesi. Amen.
The late Oba was coronated the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland on 11th March 2022 by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in the forecourt of the historic Mapo Hall, Oja ‘Iba, Ibadan.
Olubadan Alli-Okunmade 11 was an embodiment of culture, academics, politics, business, philosophy, charity and good humour. God made him a special breed of everything he, the late Olubadan, touched while on earth. We shall miss sorely our dear Kabiyesi.
At a personal level, the following recall depicts the degree of warmth and royal tutelage, if you kindly permit, that the late paramount ruler graciously granted between him and my humble self.
The immediate past 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Senator Mohood Olalekan Isola Balogun, CFR, ALLI OKUNMADE 11 (2022 – 2024) honoured me most with royal representations by me, more than any Olubadan, since I stepped into the royal Olubadan Circle as the Mogaji Oyetunji Olundegun Chieftaincy Family of Ile Oye, SW2/486, Ita Aaregbe-Omo/Koromodi, Isale-’Jebu, Ibadan in 1994, 30 years ago.
My first-ever royal representation of any Olubadan was in 2000, 24 years ago, at the commissioning of the DIDEOLU AWOLOWO SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, Ikenne, Ogun State by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. I had gone there to represent the 39th Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Yunusa Bankole Oladoja Ogundipe, Arapasowu 1, followed by subsequent representations of the 40th Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade1, the 41st Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogugunniso 1 and our just departed 42nd Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Alli-Okunmade 11.
It’s on record that the last two representations of Olubadan Oba (Dr) Senator Mohood Olalekan Balogun, CFR, ALLI OKUNMADE 11 were by my humble self, High Chief ‘Lekan Alabi, Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland. The two last ceremonies were the book launch in honour of a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi at the Mauve 21, Ring Road, Ibadan and the first OMOGE ASA Competition of the Lead City University, Ibadan, both on Wednesday, 7th March 2024, respectively. Kabiyesi Olubadan Alli-Okunmade 11 joined his ancestors on Thursday night, 14th March 2024, aged 81. May his kind and royal soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.
– High Chief Lekan Alabi
Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland
