Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has commiserated with the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on Monday morning.
Makinde commiserated with the family when a delegation of the late Olakulehin family visited his office at the State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, to officially inform him of the demise of the 43rd Olubadan.
The governor described the passage of Oba Olakulehin as a great loss to the people of Ibadanland.
He pledged that the state would stand by the family and give the late Olubadan a befitting burial.
Makinde said that the legacies of Oba Olakulehin would remain significant in the state’s traditional and cultural space.
“We do not always want them to go; we want them to stay with us, but God has designed our bodies for a certain period of time.
“I commiserate with the family and all of us. The government will definitely stay with the family and play whatever roles we are supposed to play, including giving Kabiyesi a befitting burial,” the governor said.
Earlier, a former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan, Chief Bayo Oyero, who led members of the late Olubadan’s family to the governor’s office, informed the governor officially of Olakulehin’s demise.
Oyero thanked Makinde for his support to the late Ibadan traditional ruler through out his(Olakulehin) reign as Olubadan.
He, on behalf of the deceased family, expressed gratitude to the governor and his government for making Oba Olakulehin’s reign a success.
“We are here this morning with gratitude to God and to formally inform you of the passing away of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Frederick Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, who passed away early this morning.
“We thank you very sincerely. In spite of the controversial situation we had before he ascended the throne, you still approved his ascension to the imperial throne of Ibadanland.
“We want to thank your government for all you have done, including a remarkable, historic coronation ceremony, which the government did for him.” Oyero said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oba Olakulehin who ascended the throne as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland a year ago, celebrated his 90th birthday on July 5.
Oyo Speaker mourns passing of Olubadan
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, has expressed profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin.
Olakulehin, died early Monday morning, barely two days after his 90th birthday.
In a statement on Monday, Ogundoyin described the news of the death of the revered monarch’s demise as “a heartbreaking twist of fate”.
He recalled the recent joyful tributes he extended to the Olubadan on the nonagenarian birthday.
“Just two days ago, we were offering prayers of thanksgiving for a glorious 90th year.
“Today, we bow our heads in mourning, grappling with the sudden departure of a royal father whose presence was a beacon of tradition, unity, and wisdom in Ibadanland,” the speaker said.
Ogundoyin said that the Olubadan’s life was a radiant testament to selfless leadership and unwavering devotion to Ibadan’s sociocultural heritage.
He praised Oba Olakulehin’s reign as one marked by peace, dignity, and the strengthening of traditional values across the state.
The speaker extended his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the royal family, the entire Ibadan indigenes both at home and abroad, and the government of Oyo State.
Ogundoyin emphasised that though the monarch has physically departed, his legacy would echo across generations.
“In just 48 hours, we moved from celebration to sorrow, but such is the tapestry of life. Kabiyesi lived a full, impactful life.
“Though our hearts are heavy, we give thanks for the decades he dedicated to the throne and to the people. May the soul of our dearly beloved Olubadan rest eternally in peace,” he said.
Agbekoya mourns Olubadan’s death
The Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, a group dedicated to the protection of Yoruba heritage, has mourned the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, joined his ancestors at the age of 90.
The group’s National President, Mr Okikiola Kamorudeen, in a condolence message in Lagos on Monday, described the late traditional ruler as a man of peace, wisdom, and strength.
It stated that the late royal father served Ibadanland with dignity and unshakable commitment to unity, traditional values, and progress.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olubadan died early on Monday morning, after celebrating his 90th birthday on Saturday.
He ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, following his coronation by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, serving as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“Although his time on the throne was relatively short, Oba Olakulehin’s reign was marked by tranquility, maturity, and respect for tradition.
“His death is a monumental loss not only to Ibadanland, but to the entire Yoruba nation.
“The Agbekoya Society of Nigeria mourns alongside the people of Ibadanland, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigene (CCII), and the Oyo State Government.
“We pray for the peaceful repose of the royal father’s soul and for strength to the royal family and people he left behind,”he said.
Kamorudeen said the society congratulated Chief Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, who is next in line to ascend the throne of the Olubadan.
He said that Agbekoya Society also extends warm congratulations to Oba Eddy Oyewole, on his recent and well-deserved elevation to the position of Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land.
Kamorudeen said his promotion was a testament to his dedication and the strength of the time-tested succession structure of the Olubadan system.
“The society emphasises the importance of unity, orderliness, and adherence to tradition as Ibadan enters this sacred period of transition,” he said.
Kamorudeen urged all stakeholders traditional leaders, political actors, community leaders, and the general public to uphold the sanctity of the process and resist any attempts to sow division or disruption.
He said that Ibadanland must remain united and the Yoruba heritage must remain unshaken while Agbekoya would continue to defend the land and the truth.