TheNewsGuru

Tag: Oba Lekan Balogun

  • Tinubu mourns as UCH opens up on Olubadan’s death

    Tinubu mourns as UCH opens up on Olubadan’s death

    Authorities of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, have said that they gave adequate care to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, when he was brought to the hospital on Wednesday.

    Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mrs Funmilayo Adetuyibi, stated this in an interview on Friday in Ibadan.

    Oba Balogun joined his ancestors on Thursday evening during a brief illness at the age of 81.

    Adetuyibi said that the late traditional ruler was brought to the hospital on Wednesday and died at the intensive care unit on Thursday night.

    “As everyone knows, the first goal of our hospital is to take care of our patients.

    “Adequate and proper care was given to Oba Balogun during the little time he stayed at the hospital,” she said.

    “He came in at around 10.30 p.m. on Wednesday and died at exactly 9.05 p.m. on Thursday,” she said.

    The UCH spokesperson, however, declined when asked about the disease that the late Olubadan was suffering from which eventually resulted in his death.

    News of the death of the traditional ruler was also confirmed by his family, media aide, Dele Ogunsola, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, late Thursday evening.

    It was gathered that the late royal father was sick and remained indoors throughout Tuesday before he was taken to UCH on Wednesday.

    The first-class traditional ruler, who ascended the throne on March 11, 2022 after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji, was a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree holder, former university lecturer and senator between 1999 and 2003.

    Balogun, who died barely 72 hours after celebrating two years on the throne as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, will be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4 p.m. today (Friday) according to Islamic rites.
    He is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

    President Tinubu mourns Olubadan of Ibadan

    Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has received  news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, with a deep sense of grief.

    This is contained in a statement by Presidential spokesman,  Ajuri Ngelale on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the President commiserated with the family of  Olubadan,  government of Oyo State,  Olubadan-in-Council,  Oyo State Traditional Council and people of Ibadanland over the loss.

    Ngelale said that Tinubu mourned the Olubadan and celebrated the Oba’s remarkable life of service to his people, state, and the nation.

    “His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, was an exceptional king who used his ancestral stool in the service of humanity. He was compassionate, courageous, and an unrelenting advocate of the pristine ideals of peace, honesty, and unity.

    ”His wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time in the life of our country.”

    He added that the President urged all who are in mourning to find solace in the immortal legacies of the Olubadan, stating that he lived eternally in his good deeds and in the memories of everyone touched by his essence.

    The Presidential spokesman said Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort for those mourning the sad loss.

    The Olubadan died on Thursday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan after a brief illness and would be buried on  Friday,  according to Islamic rites.

    Balogun was a former federal legislator in the upper chambers and an accomplished businessman before ascending the throne.

    Recall that the first-class traditional ruler ascended the throne on March 11, 2022 after the demise of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

  • Advocacy: Olubadan supports CBN over redesigned Naira notes, accepts deadline

    Advocacy: Olubadan supports CBN over redesigned Naira notes, accepts deadline

    The CBN has enlisted the support of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun and Olubadan-in-Council, on the advocacy of the newly designed naira notes in Ibadan.

    Mrs Olufolake Ogundero, the CBN Ibadan Branch Controller, told said this after an advocacy visit to the Olubadan on Saturday at his Alarere Palace, in Ibadan.

    Newsmen reports that the apex bank’s sensitisation train, which took off from the popular Dugbe Market on Thursday, had visited major markets across the state and other important institutions.

    It would be recalled that the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, had announced the introduction of redesigned N200, N500 and N1000 notes with a directive that all old notes would be out of circulation by Jan. 31.

    Ogundero said that the CBN had disbursed enough of the redesigned notes to banks in the country.

    She said that heavy sanction awaited any commercial bank that hoarded or engaged in any sharp practice on the newly introduced naira notes.

    The branch controller said that the apex bank had provided sufficient liquid cash for the smooth running of the nation’s economy.

    “We have also disbursed adequate newly redesigned naira notes to all banks in Nigeria. They have no excuse not to pay customers or load it in their ATMs.

    “We are tracking and monitoring these banks on compliance and commensurate sanctions awaits any bank or individual that is found engaging in any sharp practice,” she said.

    Ogundero said that they were at the palace on the instruction of the CBN governor to sensitise the Olubadan-in- Council and seek their valuable support for the newly redesigned Naira notes.

    She reaffirmed that the Jan. 31 deadline for the legal tender of the old naira notes remained sacrosanct.

    Ogundero encouraged Nigerians not to wait until rush hour to deposit their old notes, saying there would be no extension beyond Jan. 31.

    “We have come here on the instruction of the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele to sensitise the Olubadan-in-Council and seek their valuable support for the newly redesigned Naira notes.

    “We are also using this occasion to reaffirm that the Jan. 31 deadline for the legal tender of the old naira notes remains sacrosanct.

    “These new notes are available in the ATMs and there is no limit for the amount of deposit and no charge or charges for the deposit made by bank customers,” she said.

    The Olubadan said that some banks were still dispensing old notes in their ATMs, urging the CBN to ensure banks paid customers with new notes.

    Oba Balogun, who spoke through the Otun Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, expressed readiness to sensitise and create more awareness on the part of Ibadan indigenes as well as residents.

    Among those who joined the Olubadan in receiving the CBN delegation were Osi- Balogun, High Chief Gbadamosi Adebimpe; Osi-Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Ashipa-Balogun, High Chief Kola Adegbola and Maye-Olubadan, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi, among others.

  • I’m contesting for president to change the nation’s narrative – Dele Momodu

    I’m contesting for president to change the nation’s narrative – Dele Momodu

    The Ovation magazine publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, says his decision to come out to contest for the presidency is to change the narrative and work towards achieving growth, progress and the nation’s development.
    Momodu stated this on Monday, during a consultation visit to the residence of Olubadan designate, Oba Lekan Balogun, at Alarere area in Ibadan.
    The publisher, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he made similar attempts 11 years ago under the umbrella of National Conscience Party (NCP), but “this time around, I will contest under PDP to actualise my dream.”
    According to him, Nigerians have over the years complained about the myriad of problems confronting the country.
    “But solution to those problems can not come through the same set of people that have remained in the corridors of power,” he said.
    The politician described the Olubadan designate as a Nigerian deep and versed in knowledge of either politics or administration.
    He presented three volumes of book, titled ‘The untold story of Dele Momodu’s Presidential Campaign’, which, according to him, encapsulate his policies, to the Olubadan designate.
    Chief Hamidu Ajibade, who responded on behalf of Oba Balogun, noted that Momodu had used his profession through publication of Ovation Magazine to positively project and advance the cause of Nigeria and Nigerians.
    He prayed that his efforts of the past years would go a very long way to assist his aspiration.