Former President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, during a condolence visit to the family’s Alarere residence in Ibadan yesterday.
Accompanied by Chief Fasawe and Arole Gbenga Adewusi, among others, Obasanjo reminisced on the impactful reign of the late monarch despite its brevity.
GOVIMA reported that Oba Balogun, who ascended as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland on March 11, 2022, tragically passed away on March 14, 2024, merely 72 hours after celebrating his second-year anniversary on the throne. He was laid to rest at his Aliiwo ancestral home the following day.
During his visit, Obasanjo was warmly received by family members of the late monarch, including two of his wives, Olayinka and Olufunmilayo, along with some of his children, and Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Head of Service.
In a statement released by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late Olubadan, Oladele Ogunsola, Obasanjo expressed his deep personal connection to the late Oba Balogun, emphasizing their friendship. He remarked, “The late Olubadan was not a stranger to me; he was my friend, and it is my responsibility to pay this visit to his family. He fulfilled his role admirably; he was ‘Gbobaniyi’.”
Obasanjo also reflected on the transient nature of life, stating, “Naturally, we would have preferred him to be with us for a much longer time, but God knows best.” Quoting a Yoruba proverb, he added, “As it is said in Yoruba, ‘o wuni ka jeran pe lenu, oofa ona ofun o je’ (as much as we want to hold the meat in our mouth, the draw from our esophagus won’t allow us).”
