The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olalekan Balogun, is dead.
He was 81.
He ascended the throne two years ago as the 42nd Olubadan.
The media aide of the monarch, Oladele Ogunsola, announced that the monarch died on Thursday evening, a few hours after being admitted at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Oyo state.
“Olubadan bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness,” NAN quoted Ogunsola as saying.
Kola Balogun, younger brother of the monarch said the Olubadan suffered av “slight malaria fever” and was taken to the hospital.
“Baba was hale and hearty on Monday when he personally received the few guests who paid him congratulatory visits on his second anniversary on that day,” Balogun was quoted as saying.
Already, condolences messages were being sent in to the family.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state had described the late monarch as “a mighty Iroko”.
“With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Makinde said in a statement signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his chief press secretary.
“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.
“On behalf of the government and good people of the state, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the state Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland. It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.
“The passing of Oba Dr. Balogun marks the end of an era for Ibadanland, leaving behind a profound void in its rich history and heritage.”
The late monarch spent two years on the throne. He was presented with the staff of office on March 11, 2022, after being endorsed by the Ibadan high chiefs.
Balogun took over Oba Saliu Adetunji who died on January 2, 2022, at the age of 93.
He will be buried on Friday evening at his Aliiwo ancestral home in Ibadan, according to Islamic rites.
Meanwhile, successor to the late Oba Balogun has been named in Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Olakulehin is currently the Balogun of Ibadan land.
His ascension follows the demise of Balogun on Thursday
Olakulehin, heads the Balogun line, and is older than his predecessor. But his actual age could not be determined as of press time.
He is of Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government Area.
Olakulehin has been a vocal voice within the Olubadan-In-Council in the last 10 years.
The next Olubadan was a House of Representative member in the Third Republic