TINUBU MOURNS OLUBADAN, HAILS MONARCH AS SYMBOL OF WISDOM AND NATIONAL UNITY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over the passing of the Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing the late monarch as a towering figure of peace, intellect, and principled leadership who left an indelible mark on both traditional and national landscapes.
Oba Olakulehin, who died at the age of 90, had only ascended the revered throne in March 2024, following the demise of his predecessor, Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II. His passing, President Tinubu noted, came just days before what was to be a dual celebration of his milestone 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary.
In a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Oba Olakulehin as “a symbol of peace, wisdom, and continuity,” whose leadership resonated well beyond the confines of Ibadan.
“Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich history and culture but also a man of intellect and principle whose contributions extended beyond the palace into education, governance, and national development,” the President said.
A distinguished academic, the late monarch was born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village near Akanran in Ibadan North East Local Government Area. He held a master’s degree in administration and economics and was a scholar of repute who lectured at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His intellectual rigor and commitment to truth, President Tinubu said, earned him widespread respect as a man who rejected sycophancy and championed progressive ideals rooted in accountability.
Despite his brief reign, the President said, Oba Olakulehin made a lasting impact by embodying the delicate balance between cultural tradition and modern governance. He lauded the monarch for his role in preserving Ibadan’s unique traditional succession system, which alternates between the Otun (civil) and Balogun (military) lines a structure Tinubu described as vital to the city’s political and cultural harmony.
“His wisdom and moral authority served as a stabilising force in Ibadanland and the wider Yoruba nation,” the President added, praising the monarch’s lifelong service to his people and the country.
As tributes continue to pour in from across Nigeria, President Tinubu extended condolences to the royal family, the government and people of Oyo State, and the Yoruba nation at large. He urged Ibadan residents to take comfort in the enduring legacy left by the late monarch and offered prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul.
President Tinubu expressed confidence that the values Oba Olakulehin embodied integrity, intellectual depth, and community service will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
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