President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the government and people of Oyo State, the royal family, the Olubadan-in-council and the people of Ibadan on the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the late Kabiyesi was a visionary and compassionate leader who used the spheres of his influence as a respected traditional ruler and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people.
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President Buhari, who said the deceased encouraged and motivated his people to give their best in their vocation and to the nation, stated that his demise had “understandably” left a huge void to fill.
The President urged the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the eternal memory of the deceased by imbibing the virtues he cherished so much: generosity, peace, tolerance and devotion to unity.
President Buhari expressed trust that the process of selecting the successor of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland would be guided by wisdom, understanding and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived.
The President prayed to God to grant the soul of Oba Adetunji eternal rest and comfort the family, friends, associates and subjects he left behind.
Also, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, expressed his condolence over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan.
The Waziri of Adamawa, in a press release by his media office on Sunday, described Olubadan as “a wise man of age whose counsels and fatherly posturing brought a lot of admiration to traditional institutions.”
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 particularly condoled with his family, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the people and government of Oyo State for losing two highly-rated traditional rulers in quick succession within a month.
The statement further urged the immediate family of the Olubadan to take solace in the remarkable life that the monarch lived and prayed that God should grant the late Olubadan a peaceful repose.
Similarly, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has condoled with the families of Olubadan and the entire people of the state over the monarch’s death.
In a condolence message on Sunday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said the late Olubadan provided an exemplary leadership with an uncommon love for his people during his reign.
The speaker said Oba Adetunji, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 93, would be sorely missed by all well-meaning sons and daughters of Ibadan and Yorubaland.
He prayed to God to find a peaceful resting place for the late Olubadan and console his family and subjects over the loss.
