Tag: Olalekan Balogun

2023: My ambition is not dependent on any geo-political bloc – Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi has said his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election is not dependent on any geo-political bloc.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Amaechi made this known on Monday when he visited the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, at his Alarere Palace, Ibadan.

Amaechi, who is also aspiring to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 on the platform of APC, stressed he possessed all that would take him to make Nigeria better if given the opportunity to become the president.

Amaechi said he was a detribalised Nigerian, adding that as a firm believer in Nigerian project, his cabinet as the Governor in Rivers had a sizable numbers of non-indigenes.

“Two Permanent Secretaries were non-natives of Rivers State to demonstrate my detribalised nature.

“I don’t belong to any geo-political bloc as far as my presidential ambition is concerned.

‘I’m not Hausa/Fulani candidate, I’m not Yoruba candidate, I’m not Igbo candidate and I’m not even the Kalabari candidate, but a Nigeria candidate,” he said.

Amaechi also promised to perform if allowed to govern Nigeria, recalling how he turned things around in Rivers while governing the state and made it a safe haven for both people and businesses.

“Whoever is conversant with Rivers State will attest to it that the place witnessed a turnaround during my tenure and this was made possible by creating alternative to criminality.

“Whatever you do, if people are not engaged toward ministering to their welfare, crime will thrive,” he said.

Responding to Sen. Kola Balogun (PDP-Oyo South Senatorial District), request for the completion of Ibadan Inland Dry Port, Amaechi promised to seek the Federal Executive Council’s approval for the commencement of Ibadan Dry Port before the end of May.

Amaechi said all the bottlenecks surrounding delay of the project had been resolved, while assuring Olubadan and the general public that the project would commence operation once approved by FEC.

He also assured the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), that a railway station would be named after an Ibadan indigene, pointing out that it would not be within Ibadan Railway corridor.

Responding, Oba Balogun lauded Amaechi for being a detribalised Nigerian, saying that the minister shares the same attribute with him on oneness of Nigeria.

The Olubadan said that Amaechi had demonstrated the capacity to wedge the country together and told him to feel free to knock at the Palace’s door any time.

He, thereafter, harped on the unity of the country, saying that, irrespective of language, tribe or religion, “we are all brothers and sisters”.

April 26, 2022
2023 : Osinbajo seeks Olubadàn’s blessings on presidential ambition

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday visited the Olubadàn of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, at his Alarere residence, in Ibadan, to seek the traditional ruler’s blessings on his presidential ambition.

The visit was in continuation of the vice president’s visitation to states ahead of the primary election of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), holding in May.

Osinbajo said the that he came to pay homage and sought the traditional ruler’s blessings on his desire to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, after the completion of the current tenure.

He explained that his decision to contest the post of presidency was made in realisation of the need to put into use all the experiences he gained in the last seven years under the tutelage of President Buhari.

“During these years, our president truly gave me every opportunity to know all what the government was doing, including very sensitive issues and I felt it would be the right thing to do, to deploy all those experiences under me to the service of the country.

“Nigeria needs those who are willing to serve, to attain her potentials. I have come to Ibadan to confer with the party delegates on my intention to run for the presidency, which I formally declared on April 11.

“Kabiyesi, I know that you are no more a politician. Though it is said that we are all political animals, but your position as the father of all, precludes ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ from being active.

“So, I covet your prayers and want to assure Your Majesty, that wherever I may be, your highly respected position is guaranteed,” Osinbajo said.

In his response, Oba Balogun wished the vice president good luck in his desire to contest the presidential race.

“We are proud of you and share your aspiration. Just let me hand you over to the Almighty Allah, to take total control and be with you and your entourage,” Oba Balogun added.

The royal father also prayed for the vice president and his entourage.

Among the dignitaries who accompanied Prof. Osinbajo were Sen. Teslim Folarin, APC, representing Oyo Central, Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa, APC representing Bauchi North, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and other chieftains of the party.

April 22, 2022
How Oba Balogun earned Olubadan throne – Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the openness and large heart of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Olalekan Balogun, earned him the throne.

Osinbajo, in his remarks at the installation of Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, also prophesied that the reign of the traditional ruler would witness greatness.

“He was better prepared for the throne, having been a scholar, former Senator and champion of indigenous culture and community empowerment,” the vice president said.

Osinbajo, while congratulating the new Olubadan, Government of Oyo State, on the coronation, commended the orderliness and unique steps taken in ascending to the throne of Olubadan.

Oba Balogun was installed and presented with the Staff and Instrument of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, at exactly 12:32 p.m.

Makinde, in his address, urged the new Ibadan foremost traditional ruler to remain steadfast as the gatekeeper of the Ibadan traditional system.

The governor urged the traditional rulers, as custodians of the traditional system, not to play politics with the system.

He said that no politician, no matter how highly placed, could destroy any system without the cooperation of members of the system.

Makinde implored Balogun and the Olubadan-In-Council to work toward ensuring that the laws, having to do with the ascension to the throne of Olubadan, remain sacrosanct.

He advised the Olubadan-In-Council to be self-conceived and remain self-regulated without any external interference from the political class if there was going to be any amendment in the laws.

The governor said further that he had always taken a stand for the integrity of traditional systems.

“And so, I am, especially delighted that today, Friday, March 11, the sanctity of the emergence of this century-old dynasty, has been restored.

“His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli, Okumade II, has distinguished himself as an excellent professional.

“He has without doubt contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.

“He has served both in private and public service and has even represented Oyo State at the Senate.

“He is indeed a man of many parts and so, we rejoice that His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okumade II, climbed the 22 steps on the Olubadan line, starting from the lowest rung of Jagun Olubadan over a period of 39 years.

“We rejoice because His Imperial Majesty having seen how things were when politics became a factor in the ascension to the throne, is in a great position to defend the traditions of our people and ensure that this does not happen again.

“And, I want to restate that though, we politicians will come and go, sometimes, to satisfy our political whims, we may make decisions that do not protect our traditional systems.

“But, this is why the custodians of our culture must always take a stand preventing us from tinkering with the age-old traditional systems.

“So, I join Oyo State Government, sons and daughters of Ibadan and good people of Oyo State to wish the Imperial Majesty a peaceful and successful reign,” Makinde said.

Highlights of the event was the traditional homages to the new Olubadan, led by Otun Olubadan, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, followed by other members of the Olubadan-in-Council, Council of Iyalodes, Mogajis, religious leaders, among others.

March 11, 2022
Newly installed Olubadan, Oba Balogun vows not let Ibadan people down

The newly installed 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Olalekan Balogun, has assured the people of Ibadanland and Nigeria in general that he would not let them down.

Balogun made the pledge in his first public speech shortly after Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to him as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“The new Olubadan said: “I want to assure all that I will not the people of Ibadan down. I will not let the people of Nigeria down.”

The traditional ruler, however, thanked all the eminent personalities, including the traditional rulers, the serving and former governors and National Assembly members present for the honour done him by their presence.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented the Staff of Office and Instrument of Office to Oba (Dr) Olalekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland at exactly 12.30 p.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was officially declared opened at exactly 11.14 a.m with the recitation of National Anthem, Oyo State Anthem as well as Ibadan Anthem.

The opening prayers were said by Christians, Muslims and the traditional prayer by the Araba Awo of Ibadanland.

However, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland was ushered into the venue at exactly 11.50 a.m, after which all the traditional chiefs, Mogajis, religious leaders, leaders of various associations in Ibadanland paid homage to Oba Balogun.

March 11, 2022
Ex-Oyo senator, others to succeed late Olubadan [Full list]

High Chief Mashood Olalekan Balogun, is to succeed the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji.

The departed monarch, Oba Adetunji, who is from Balogun line was, until his installation, the Balogun of Ibadan land.

He ascended the throne in March 2016 after he succeeded Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.

Oba Adetunji joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 93.

The next person to ascend the throne of Olubadan, based on information provided, in line with Ibadan tradition is the former Oyo state senator, Mashood Olalekan Balogun.

According to reports, the ascension to the Olubadan stool starts from installation from Mogaji before promotion to either Ajia Balogun of Ibadan land or Ajia Olubadan of Ibadan land.

Lekan Balogun, as fondly called, represented Oyo Central senatorial district between 1999 and 2003.

Balogun, who was promoted from Mogaji to Ajia Olubadan few decades ago, had earlier worked as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Balogun’s younger brother, Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun, is currently representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Balogun, a doctor of philosophy holder, is a native of Ali-Iwo compound in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Balogun is currently the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land and is currently the most senior chief in Ibadan land.

He is to succeed the monarch in line with Ibadan tradition.

It was gathered that there are about 34 steps to climb to get into the Olubadan In Council.

All the members of the council are potential future Olubadans with the exception of Iyalode.

It was also gathered that for one to get into the council you have to climb starting from Mogaji’s either through one of the two lines; the Olubadan (Civilian line) or the Balogun (Military line).

Here is the list of the most senior high chiefs next to the Olubadan in hierarchy.

High Chief Mashood Olalekan Balogun – Otun Olubadan

High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakunlehin – Balogun of Ibadanland

High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola – Otun Balogun of Ibadanland

High Chief Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja – Osi Olubadan

High Chief Eddy Oyewole – Asipa Olubadan

High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe – Osi Balogun

High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi – Eekerin Olubadan

High Chief Salaudeen Hamidu Ajibade – Eekarun Olubadan

January 2, 2022