Oba Mohood Ishola Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II. — A Hugely Remarkable Reign and Glorious Passage Into Eternity

By Prof Soji Adejumo

Oba Lekan Balogun came on to the throne at a time Ibadanland was in dire need of a cultural and developmental turn around. He came at a time Ibadanland needed a leader who could steer the affairs of this megapolis with academic precision, social and political wisdom. He came when Ibadanland needed to reinvent the imperial ethos of the Kingdom.

Oba Olalekan Balogun ticked all the boxes. Presiding over traditional institutions in a Kingdom comprising of 1 Metropolis, 42 Royal Kings, 67 Traditional Chiefs, over 600 Mogajis, 3000 Baales in 11 Local Governments, 63 Towns and over 3000 villages, is no mean feat.

I became acquainted with our late Kabiyesi in the late eighties when he had just cut his political teeth during the Shehu Shagari era. He came across to me as a social philosopher and an aristocrat with a socialist flavour. He would talk to me for hours in his expansive Alarere House which later became his Palace.

He was a social and political ideologue and would discuss any of such issues under the sun. He was always rhetorically explicit with his choice of words and I admired him greatly. He also loved to talk about the Nigeria of his dreams where there will be justice and equity for all. We talked about education and agriculture and his vast knowledge and experiences were amazing.

Our political paths were also aligned and I looked up to him for leadership mentorship and direction. The relationship was that of a younger brother to an older brother and relating with him was always interesting because of his huge sense of humour.

He loved Ibadanland and was always proud of his ancestral antecedents. He was climbing the rungs of the traditional ladder and running his political affairs side by side. He became a Senator and topped that with his coronation as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

I remember telling him about ten years ago that if God should enable him to become an Olubadan, he must modernise the monarchy and he gave his word. He fulfilled the promise to the letter.

Shortly before his coronation, his younger brother, Senator, Dr Kola Balogun along with some Ibadan sons and daughters including my humble self setup the Ibadan Royalty Committee to assist Kabiyesi from the background in addressing issues pertaining to the development of Ibadanland and the enhancement of the dignity and prestige of the Ibadan Monarchy. Kabiyesi tremendously appreciated our humble efforts and gave maximum support and encouragement. He and the Olubadan Advisory Council succeeded in modernising the unique traditional culture of Ibadanland with good grace.

Oba Lekan Balogun was a man without angst, who also did not suffer fools gladly, but was also very generous and large hearted. He could not hold a grudge beyond a few hours and many people exploited this attribute of his to their advantage. He was always very quick to forgive and forget and never turned down any request for help.

As a Monarch, he maintained an open door policy and was always ready to assist everyone who came to him for help or favours irrespective of their tribe and creed. I cannot recall the tens of letters he wrote daily for people who needed help from him to get jobs, engagements and other services.

I very well recall someone who approached me on behalf of a friend of his whom I had never met before and who wanted to secure a job with a huge multinational company and felt that a letter of recommendation from Kabiyesi would help the process. The request came very late in the evening and Kabiyesi was already retiring for the night, but when he was informed of our mission, he waited for us and granted the person his request before retiring to bed. Such was his selfless nature.

I am happy to have been associated with the giant strides of Oba Balogun all within a short span of two years. I am also humbled by the honour he bestowed on me as the Ajiroba of Ibadanland.

He witnessed the completion of the new Olubadan Palace but fate has decreed he would not live there. Such is life. Now, the work is done and finished.

Kabiyesi has finished his glorious race and our testimonies and remembrances will keep his memory alive. The architect of the modern era of the very unique Ibadan traditional institution Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors.

I commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State and an illustrious Ibadan son, ENGR. Seyi Makinde, The Olubadan-In-Counci, Baba Kekere Olubadan, Senator, Dr. Kola Balogun, the Good people of Ibadanland and Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole on the passage of our Monarch and the end of a short but indelible era.

I wish the succeeding Monarch a glorious and peaceful reign.

The King is dead. Long live the king!

Prof. Soji Adejumo, the Ajiroba of Ibadanland