Nigeria’s Vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a former Vice-president, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, and other prominent Nigerians are in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for the coronation of Senator Lekan Balogun as Olubadan.
Lekan Balogun is the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land.
Prominent traditional rulers from the six states that make up southwest Nigeria are also in Ibadan for the coronation rites.
The coronation rites for the new monarch held at the ancient Mapo Hall.
Balogun has succeeded the 41st Olubadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, 2nd January this year.
Reports said that the Mapo Hall arcade which had played host to several historical events in Ibadan was filled to capacity.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who as the celebrant handed over the staff of office to the celebrator (Balogun, the new Olubadan), maintained a dignified presence at the venue.
Others who attended the event were Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; and Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle; The Polytechnic Ibadan, Rector, Professor Kazeem Adebiyi; Ibadan High Chiefs, Mogajis, and Baales among others.
▪︎ Enter the 42nd Olubadan
His Imperial Majesty Oba Senator Dr. Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alliwo (Alli Okunmade II) installed as the 42nd Olubadan on March 11 2022 at the Mall Hall, Ibadan, was born into the Alliwo family 78 years ago.
His late father, Alhaji Ibrahim Balogun was a foremost cocoa produce merchant and a great grandson of Balogun Alli Okunmade (Alli – Iwo), an Ogbomosho Prince who settled in the present Alliwo compound, Agodi Ibadan in 1863 after years of valiant war campaigns for Ibadan/Yoruba armies.
His late mother was Alhaja Awawu Adunni Balogun, the Iyalode Elepo pupa, the women leader of Palm Oil Dealers Association of Lagelu Local Government Area.
Dr Lekan Balogun is an alumnus of Brunel University UK and University of Manchester United Kingdom and he was a Research Fellow of the Ahmadu Bello University ABU Zaria upon his return from sojourn in the United kingdom.
From there he was head-hunted into the industrial relations department of Shell BP, the British petroleum exploration giant. He later became Head of Recruitment and Scholarship of the company.
He is a prolific writer and author of many published books including: A Review of Nigeria’s 4 Year Development Plan 1970-1974; Nigeria: Social Justice or Doom; Power for Sale; Arrogance of Power; Nigeria, The People Must Decide; To Lead is to Serve; and The Portrait of an Activist.
In 1983, he contested the gubernatorial election of the old Oyo State on the platform of the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP )against the incumbent Late Governor Bola Ige of UPN and Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo of NPN.
On December 1st 1986 he became the Mogaji of the Alliwo family.
In 1999, he contested and became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing the Oyo Central Senatorial district on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy AD.
He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning and a member of several committees of the Senate including the Senate Committee on Army.
Senator Dr Lekan Balogun rose through the ranks in Ibadan traditional system to become the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland on 1 January 2017 until 2nd January 2022 when it he was elevated from Otun Olubadan to ascend the throne of Olubadan of Ibadanland in line with the unique Ibadan traditional system.
He is a consummate lover of peace, fighter for the rights of the underprivileged and has a mindset focused on development of the society.
Oba Lekan Balogun is the second Olubadan of Ibadanland from Alliwo Royal Dynasty. The first Olubadan from the family was Oba Memudu Alliwo, in 1952 (70 years ago).
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