Senator Kola Balogun has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso I, as a great cultural icon who will be missed by the people and lovers of Yoruba culture and tradition.
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District said this in his reaction to the passage of the traditional ruler who joined his ancestors early Sunday morning at the age of 93.
The late Olubadan who reportedly died
at the University College Hospital (UCH) during an illness, became the Olubadan on March 4, 2016.
Senator Balogun, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr Dapo Falade, said the late Olubadan was a cultural icon and a successful businessman whose reign was peaceful.
He said Yorubaland and its people are gradually loosing their cultural icons, with the demise of the traditional ruler, coming less than one month after the deaths of the Soun of Ogbomoso and the Asigangan of Igangan.
The federal lawmaker however said the family of the late Olubadan, the people of Ibadanland, people of the state and the Oyo State government would be consoled by the fact that the traditional ruler lived up to a very ripe old age.
“The death of Kabiyesi, though not surprising, saddens me. It is a not a surprise because baba lived a good life and lived up to a very ripe old age.
“However, his demise saddens me because, by his passage, we have lost yet another cultural icon and a peaceful traditional ruler in Ibadanland, nay the entire Yorubaland.
“The passage of the Olubadan was coming less than one month after the deaths of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III and the Asigangan of Iganganland, Oba Lasisi Olawuyi Adeboye, Aribiyan II, Gbadewolu 1.
“As humans, we are sad to have lost him to the cold hands of death. But we are, however, consoled by the fact that the late Olubadan lived a good life. He was a very successful businessman before he ascended the throne of his forefathers.
“As a traditional ruler, we witnessed a peaceful era and also the transformation of Ibadanland during his reign and under the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
“I, my wife, Mogbojubola Kola-Balogun and my people in Oyo South Senatorial District hereby commiserate with the immediate family of the late Oba
Adetunji, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
“We equally condole with the Oyo State Traditional Council, Ibadan indigenes and the government and people of Oyo State over the passage of the late Olubadan.
“It is my prayer that the good Lord will grant the soul of our revered late oba a peaceful rest and uphold the family he left behind,” Senator Balogun said in the statement.
May his soul rest in peace