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.
Oba Adetunji who was pronounced dead at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) on Sunday morning was buried according to Islamic rite at his Popoyemoja Palace in the afternoon.
The president, in a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the late Olubadan 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.
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 also 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, yesterday, 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.”
Similarly, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a condolence message on Sunday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said the late Olubadan provided an exemplary leadership with an uncommon love for his people during his reign.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, also expressed sadness over the death, describing it as a big loss for the state and Yoruba race.
The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, equally expressed shock at the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, describing him as an exemplar in royalty.
The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the deceased as a principled and morally upright traditional ruler whose fatherly advice would be missed.
Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described the late Olubadan as an exemplary leader who did not allow old age to hamper his passion for the development of Ibadan and Oyo State as a whole.
In his condolence message, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said in spite of Oba Adetunji’s old age, he was a valuable asset, not only to the people of Ibadan but to the entire Yoruba race.
The Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Postal Service, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, in a statement on Sunday, said the reign of the monarch witnessed tremendous progress for Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, yesterday said the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan, had robbed Nigeria and the entire Yoruba land of “a mature and peaceful monarch.”
His death at 93 years came barely three weeks after the demise of another foremost traditional ruler in the state, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade 111.
Meanwhile, family members, friends and well-wishers of Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, next in line to become Olubadan of Ibadanland, have started trooping into the Aliiwo Compound and Alarere in Ibadan, for celebration.
From Jeremiah Oke (Ibadan), Muideen Olaniyi, Balarabe Alkassim (Abuja), Abiodun Alade (Lagos), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti), & Abdullateef Aliyu (Lagos)
