The residence of the Balogun of Ibadan land and Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was filled with drummers and praise singers on Friday, newsmen reports.
Olakulehin, according to several palace sources, will be crowned as the next Olubadan of Ibadan land subject to the approval of the state governor, Seyi Makinde, as he is the next in line to the throne.
This came barely 48 hours after the passing of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who died after a brief illness on Thursday.
Confirming the monarch’s death, Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said Oba Balogun died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
The late monarch, born on October 18, 1942, reigned for two years.
Olakulehin, who heads the Balogun line, according to several palace sources, hails from Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government.
He was a member of the House of Representative in the Third Republic.
The palace drummers were expected to move from Alli-Iwo to the Ita Baale Palace of Oba Olakulehin, heralding his symbolic ascension to the throne.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and several state governors have paid tribute to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II.
The remains of the late Olubadan were, on Friday, interred at his Aliiwo ancestral home amidst sympathisers around 4.30 pm.
The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, led other government functionaries to the family burial ground at Aliiwo in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of the state.
Dignitaries at the burial ceremony include the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; the President-General of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Niyi Ajewole; former CCII President-General, Bayo Ayero; Are Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Daud Makanjuola; the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, and a host of others.
Earlier, there was a lying-in-state at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, from 12 pm to 1 pm before the remains of the late monarch moved to Aliiwo for burial, where prayers were said to God to repose his soul.
The road leading to the ancestral home from Mapo was blocked while all markets along the route were also closed down as a sign of honour to give him last respect.
Adequate security personnel were deployed to strategic locations within the area to maintain orderliness.
Mourning the monarch, Tinubu said he received the news of the passing of the Olubadan with a deep sense of grief.
This was contained in a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday.
The President commiserated with the family of Olubadan, the government of Oyo State, Olubadan-in-Council, Oyo State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland over the loss.
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.
Punch / Mary Ogboye
