His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II, bowed out gracefully Thursday evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, just 72 hours after his two years on the throne as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, following a brief illness.
The late monarch, 81, was transported to the hospital Wednesday morning after staying indoors all day Tuesday due to mild malaria fever, despite he was hail and hearty on Monday, when he had a few visitors who congratulated him on his second anniversary that day.
The news was made by Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr. Sen. Kola Balogun, in a press statement distributed to media in Ibadan by the late monarch’s Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola.
According to the statement, Dr. Balogun revealed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4 p.m. on Friday, according to Islamic rites, and that the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who had already been verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.
The late Olubadan was Ibadan’s first and most educated monarch, a British-trained Ph.D. holder, a former university lecturer, a former member of the management staff of Shell British Petroleum, a former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), a former Senator, and a successful businessman.
His most recent formal appearance was the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting, which he presided over last Saturday and decided to derobe Mogaji Akinsola and Olawale Oladoja. On Tuesday, he directed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, to form a small committee to discuss last Friday’s decision on Ibadan Zone’s status in the proposed newly reconstructed Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The small committee’s decision was ratified earlier on Thursday by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and was to be presented to the late Oba Balogun for signature Friday morning in order to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later that day.
The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.
