Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Olori Olayinka Balogun, the most senior of the three wives of late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has charged the Iyalode-in-Council to help carry aloft the identified legacies left behind by her late husband.
Olori Olayinka made the appeal while reacting to the glowing tributes paid at the Alarere residence of the late monarch by the members of Iyalode-in-Council, led by Balogun Iyalode, High Chief Taye Soyege, during their condolence visit.
The London-based health practitioner, who noted that the tributes paid to the late Olubadan were inspirational and a source of pride to the monarch’s family, said carrying aloft the legacies would not only assist the late monarch in fulfilling his unfinished assignment, it would also help in the advancement of the society.
Olori Olayinka commended members of the Iyalode-in-Council for their support and cooperation with her late husband, asserting that as members of the women wing of the Ibadan traditional system, their roles could not be overemphasised.
She urged them to extend same gesture to the incoming Olubadan and make his reign as remarkable and successful as that of her late husband.
“As our revered mothers, your respective positions in our traditional system are very unique and germane to the success of any Olubadan and it is my prayer that the good health, wisdom and knowledge needed to function effectively and efficiently would not be denied you all,” she said.
Earlier, the head of the delegation and Balogun Iyalode, Soyege, spoke glowingly about the late Olubadan and charged the Oloris not to be despair or feel too bad about the demise of their husband because of the fruitful and purposeful life he lived.
Corroborating the submission made by the head of the delegation, High Chief Onikepo Akande, a former minister and the Iyalaje Iyalode recalled the time the late Olubadan was a Senator, adding that he projected Ibadan highly by his carriage and intellectual contributions to debates in the national assembly.
Akande disclosed that her ministerial period was the same time the late Olubadan was a Senator, stressing that she would not forget in a hurry his gentleman’s disposition to issues, especially the kind of respect and honour for the female gender.
She also charged the Oloris, the children and other members of family to be of good cheer and relish the good legacies left behind by the late Oba Balogun, describing him as a very great monarch, whose reign, though short was remarkable and impactful.
Olori Olayinka and Olori Olufunmilayo received guests on behalf of to family.
Other members of the Iyalode-in-Council delegation were Chiefs Yewande Durosaro, Kudirat Iyabode Adeleke, Mojisola Ladipo, Lanre Otiti, Tawakalitu Abiodun Alli, Olaide Ajibola and Dr. Ayo Alaga, who hold the titles of Osi Iyalode, Ekerin, Ekefa, Agbaakin, Aregbeomo, Aare Onibon and Ajia respectively.
