Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, on Friday, said the legacies of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, in Nigeria’s politics and the development of Ibadan will remain enduring.
Oba Balogun, who reigned for two years, joined his ancestors on Thursday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, after a brief illness.
Adeyemo, in a condolence message made available to The PUNCH in Ibadan, noted that the late monarch’s reign attracted growth to his domain.
He added that Oba Balogun drew global attention to Ibadan.
He wrote, “There is no doubting the fact that the late Olubadan played a significant role in the nation’s political development before and during his stint as a lawmaker, who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly between June 3, 1999 and June 3, 2003.
“Apart from his politics from 1983, which centred on human capital development, Oba Balogun’s interest in sustaining and protecting Yoruba traditional heritage and institution, endeared him to many, irrespective of religious and political inclinations.
“His reign for only two years witnessed more economic and infrastructural developments of Ibadanland, thus drawing more significant attention to the historical city in the global space. His death came at a time when his wealth of experience and management capability are needed most in the state in particular, and Nigeria as a whole.
“I personally condole with his immediate family, relatives, our amiable Governor, Seyi Makinde, former Governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, Olubadan-In-Council, the indigenes of Ibadan, Yorubaland as a whole and other stakeholders on the passage of our revered royal father.”
