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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
It was a moment of sober reflection at the Aliiwo family compound of the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, as the Olubadan-elect, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, paid glowing tributes to his predecessor for engendering oneness, unity and love among members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
The Olubadan-elect, who spoke during a visit to the family of late Oba Balogun on Monday, was accompanied by Osi Balogun, Ashipa Olubadan and Ashipa Balogun- Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi and Oba Kolawole Adegbola respectively.
Speaking through Oba Adebimpe after the team was welcomed to the family compound by the Baba Kekere of the late Olubadan, Dr. Kola Balogun, Oba Olakulehin disclosed that it was the seed of love and unity planted by the late Olubadan that gave the fruit being witnessed through the visit.
Describing the visit as historic, the Olubadan- elect stated that the kind of camaraderie that existed among the members of Olubadan Advisory Council during the reign of his predecessor was never heard in Ibadan traditional history.
He recalled that the understanding between him and the late Olubadan was unparalleled, as there was never any form of disagreement between the them. He called for the same bond among the council members during his reign, promising that he would build on the legacy left behind by the late Oba Balogun.
He urged the members of Aliiwo family to be thankful to God for the life and times of their departed patriarch.
“Though the reign was short in the eyes of men, but, the impacts and the legacies brought to Ibadan during the short period should be enough consolation and source of gratitude to God Almighty,” the monarch said.
In his welcome address, Dr Kola Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the family, praised Oba Olakulehin for the historic visit, emphasising that it had never been heard in history that Olubadan-elect visited the family of his predecessor.
“The uniqueness of Ibadan remains unfathomable to the uninitiated when it comes to relationship as Ibadan sons and daughters have always related as brothers and sisters, not minding the largeness of the metropolis.
“The outsiders always wonder why we always refer to one another as brother and sister, but what they don’t know is that the Ibadans have a way of being related either maternally or paternally and where that does not exist, we become related through marriage. And if any of those mentioned is missed, then we become related through our common masquerade festival.
“So, there is no way an Ibadan man or woman can miss any of those four areas of interactions and that is what makes one indivisible entity despite the largeness of our space and the bigness of our population. What we are seeing today is the demonstration of that oneness and it is my prayer that the unity being demonstrated would lead to a big transformation, growth and development of our land.
“On behalf of our late patriarch and the entire Aliiwo family, I say a big congratulations to Kabiyesi for the grace of being nominated and it is our prayer that God Almighty will grant you good health and longevity of live on the throne. We are happy to receive you and want to assure your Majesty that the family will always be there for you, Kabiyesi,” Dr Balogun said.
Those that received the visitors include the Oloris of the late Olubadan, Bobajiro of Ibadan land and former Head of Service in Oyo State, Chief Tajudeen Aremu; Aliiwo family elders, women group and youths.
