The Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Monday, visited the Aliiwo family compound of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, where he paid glowing tributes to the late monarch.

 Senator Kola Balogun, a member of the 9th National Assembly representing Oyo South Senatorial District, lauded the Olubadan-designate for the historic visit, stressing that it had never been heard in history that an Olubadan-designate visited the family of his predecessor.

Speaking during the visit, Oba Olakunlehin lauded Oba Balogun for engendering unity and love among the members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.

Oba Balogun passed away on March 14 aged 81 after ruling for two years.

Olakulehin named the Olubadan-designate and his nomination is awaiting the approval of 

Governor Seyi Makinde.

As Ibadan people await the official declaration by the government, the monarch has been receiving courtesy visits from the heads of the family compounds, the Iyalode line and members of the Olubadan-in-Council and was also present at the St Peter’s Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, for a Sunday service.

In another outing on Monday to the family compound of the late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin was accompanied by the Osi Balogun, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; the Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, and the Ashipa Balogun, Oba Kolawole Adegbola.

Speaking through Oba Adebimpe during the visit, Oba Olakulehin said, “It was the seed of love and unity planted by the late Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, that bore the fruits as being witnessed through the visit.

“The kind of camaraderie that existed among the members of Olubadan Advisory Council during the reign of my predecessor was never heard of in Ibadan traditional history.”

Olakulehin said the understanding between him and the late Olubadan was unparalleled as there was never any form of disagreement between them while the reign lasted.

He, therefore, called for the same bond to remain among the council members, promising to build on the legacy left behind by the late Olubadan.

“Though the reign was short in the eyes of men, the impacts and the legacies brought to Ibadan during the short period should be enough consolation and source of gratitude to God Almighty,” the monarch added.

Earlier, in his welcome address on behalf of the family, Senator Kola Balogun, a member of the 9th National Assembly representing Oyo South Senatorial District, lauded the Olubadan-designate for the historic visit, stressing that it had never been heard in history that Olubadan-designate visited the family of his predecessor.

Balogun said, “The uniqueness of Ibadan remains unfathomable to the uninitiated when it comes to relationships, as Ibadan sons and daughters are always related as brothers and sisters, not minding the largeness of the metropolis.

“The outsiders always wonder why we always refer to one another as brothers and sisters, but, what they don’t know is that the Ibadan people have a way of being related, either maternally or paternally and where that does not exist, we become related through marriage and if any of those mentioned is missed, then we become related through our common masquerade festival.

“So there’s no way an Ibadan man or woman can miss any of those four areas of interactions and that is what makes the town an indivisible entity, despite the largeness of our space and the bigness of our population.

“What we are seeing today is the demonstration of that oneness and it is my prayer that the unity being demonstrated would lead to a big transformation, growth and development of our land.”

Senator Balogun congratulated Oba Olakulehin on his nomination as Olubadan-designate and prayed for good health and longevity for him.

“On behalf of our late patriarch and the entire Aliiwo family, I say a big congratulations to Kabiyesi on his nomination and it is our prayer that God Almighty will grant you good health and longevity of life on the throne.

“We are happy to receive you and want to assure Your Majesty that the family will always be there for you, Kabiyesi,” he said.

In attendance to receive the visitors were the surviving oloris of the late Olubadan, the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and former Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu, the Aliiwo family elders, women group and the youth.

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