- By Kamil Opeyemi
A prominent traditional ruler in Yoruba land, Oba Dr. Lekan Balogun, has joined his ancestors.
NPO Reports learnt that the Olubadan was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning when it appeared that his malaria was not improving after some medications in the palace.
Balogun was installed two years ago after the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The late Olubadan was said to have stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.
In a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola, Dr. Kola Balogun, Olubadan’s younger brother disclosed that the late monarch would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites.
He said the State Governor Seyi Makinde would be formally communicated on the demise of his brother.
The late Olubadan was a British trained Doctorate degree holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum.
He also served as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As a politician, he was former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP.
His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobe Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.
He had instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.