Olori Olayinka Balogun, the most senior of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland’s surviving wives, has urged the Iyalode Council to uphold the legacies left behind by her husband, Oba Dr. Sen. Lekan Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II.
She expressed this sentiment in response to the heartfelt tributes paid by members of the Iyalode Council, led by Balogun Iyalode, High Chief Taye Soyege, during their visit to the Alarere residence of the late monarch.
Olori Olayinka, a health practitioner based in London, described the tributes as inspiring and a source of pride for the surviving family members.
She emphasised that upholding the late Olubadan’s legacies would not only assist him in fulfilling his unfinished tasks but also contribute to the advancement of society.
In a press statement issued by Oladele Ogunsola, the late monarch’s Personal Assistant on Media, Olori Olayinka commended the Iyalode Council members for their support and cooperation with her late husband. She highlighted the crucial roles played by the women’s wing of the Ibadan traditional system, emphasizing the significance of their contributions.
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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”, Olori Olayinka added.
Earlier, the head of the delegation and the Balogun Iyalode, High Chief Taye Soyege spoke glowingly of 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 of the Federal Republic and said he projected Ibadan highly by his carriage and intellectual contributions to debates in the National Assembly.
The former Minister disclosed that her ministerial period was the same time the late Olubadan was a Senator and 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 the family to be of good cheer and relish the good legacies left behind by the late Oba described as a very great monarch, whose reign, though short was remarkable and impactful.
In attendance to receive the guests alongside Olori Olayinka was Olori Olufunmilayo and the other members of the 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.