The Aliiwo Ruling House has described the reign of the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, as peaceful and progressive.
Delegates of the immediate past ruling house in Ibadanland stated this in a glowing tribute during a condolence visit to the Alalubosa GRA, Ibadan residence of the late traditional ruler, on Monday.
The representatives of the Aliiwo Ruling House was led on the condolence visit by Senator (Dr) Kola Balogun and Chief Tajudeen Aremu, mni, the Bobajiro of Ibadanland, and a former Head of Service in Oyo State (HoS).
Speaking on behalf of the visitors, Chief Aremu recalled that the late Olubadan led his family members on similar visit to the Aliiwo Ruling Family when his predecessor, Oba Dr. Sen. Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II, passed on in 2024.
He said the visit made was a pay-back from the Aliiwo Ruling House as a testament to the age-long adage that one good turn deserves another.
Aremu eulogised the late Oba Olakulehin for leading a peaceful and progressive Ibadanland during his short but remarkable reign.
This was as he expressed delight that the standard the late Oba Balogun brought into Ibadan traditional institution as the most educated Olubadan in Ibadan history was not lowered by the emergence of Oba Olakulehin.
According to him, “our baba, late Oba Balogun raised the bar of our traditional system in Ibadan as the most educated Oba in our history.
“It is a thing of joy that his successor, the late Oba Olakulehin was also not a push- over. Baba retired as an Army Major before venturing into business which he made a success of.
“The late Olubadan Olakulehin was an Army Major when the military was military in the true sense of it and he also participated in politics just like his predecessor and became a member of the House of Representatives, while his predecessor was a senator.
“During the similar visit to our Aliiwo Family House, the late Olubadan pledged his support for our family which he upheld and we are here today doing the same for his family,” Chief Aremu said.
He recalled that his interactions with the late Olubadan, through some of the assignments given to him by the late Oba Balogun, revealed that the late Oba Olakulehin never wished that his predecessor died before him.
He added that it was an indication that Oba Olakulehin was not eager to become Olubadan, but when God said he would be, his predecessor, though junior to him in age, died before him.
Responding on behalf of the family, Alhaji Rahman Alabi restated the love and bond between the two late monarchs- Oba Olakulehin and Oba Balogun- which he said culminated in the exchange of visits being talked about.
He recalled that the late Oba Olakulehin was strong health-wise when his predecessor passed on but still insisted on paying the family the condolence visit.
Alhaji Alabi recalled that expectations of Ibadan people were very high from the reign of the Oba Balogun but could not achieve all his heart desires before death struck.
He said the same expectations were shifted to the reign of the late Oba Olakulehin, but again, “here we are. But, we thank God for hitherto He has helped us and the people of Ibadan.
“It is our prayer that the successor to the two of them, the Olubadan-designate, will take the mantle and further the progressive work towards meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Ibadan.
May the Almighty God grant him good health and long life to serve our land”, Alabi stated further.
Stressing the mutual love, trust and understanding between the two departed monarchs, he called on the sons and daughters of the two ruling houses to retain and nurture the relationship as already instituted by both Oba Olakulehin and Oba Balogun.
“The two families have become one by the way and manner our respective royal fathers related while alive,” he added.
In his brief remark, Aremo Olubadan, Prince Olasunbo Owolabi, thanked the members of the Aliiwo Family for the visit which he described as sealing the bond between the two families, a bond he said is too strong.
Aremo Owolabi recalled that before the ascension of the throne of Olubadan by the late Oba Balogun, he had forged a deep political relationship with him.
He said he has also been very close to Senator Kola Balogun, recalling that while he was a member of staff of a state-owned insurance company in the early 90s, the former federal lawmaker, then a young politician, was the chairman of the board of the company and the relationship, since then, has been waxing stronger.
