Ibadan, West Africa’s largest city, was yesterday coming to terms with the passing on of its revered monarch – Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.
The city was in a mixed mood — mourning and celebration – sad about the departed 101-year-old monarch and excited about the expected coronation of the next in line, the Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Saliu Adetunji, as the Olubadan.
As at last night, the government of Oyo State had not announced the Oba’s death, but high chiefs met at the residence/palace of the late Oba Odugade.
The meeting is believed to be a prelude to the official announcement of the monarch’s death.
Dignitaries converged on the palace of the late Olubadan at Monatan to sympathise with his family and the people of Ibadanland.
The Provost of St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, the Very Reverend Dr Wale Adebuji, who was one of the early callers, said he came to administer the weekly Holy Communion on the late Olubadan on Tuesday morning only to be told of his death in the night.
Rev Adebuji said :”I came around yesterday (Tuesday) to administer the weekly holy communion which I usually gave Kabiyesi every Tuesday. After the programme, he waved me goodbye in Yoruba language (O dabo). But I was surprised to hear in the evening that he had joined the saints.”
He then wrote in the condolence register: “We thank God for a fulfilled life lived by Kabiyesi. He actually and truly served God and humanity. May he rest in perfect peace.”
Workers and members of the family were cleaning the compound. At about 9:42am, a blue pick up van brought tents and canopies into the palace.
Some members of the Olubadan-in-Council; the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oduoye Oyewole, Otun Balogun, High Chief Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, Ashipa Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola Ajibola and Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, were at the palace.
Others include Rev Segun Okubadejo, President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Wole Akinwande, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Adebisi Shittu, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Dawodu Makanjuola Akinola and the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abdulganiyu Abdulbakry Agbotomokekere.
The Chief Imam, in a short exhortation after greeting the widow of the late Oba, thanked the chiefs for their loyalty to the Olubadan. He prayed for the chiefs and Ibadan as a city.
Revd Okubadejo described Oba Odulana as a devoted Christian who promoted peace.
“My first parishioner of the Cathedral of St Peter Aremo, Ibadan, has gone to be with the Lord. May the soul of Oba Odulana pass from death into life-Amen. I urge the next Olubadan to emulate his style of leadership,” he said
High Chiefs Lekan Balogun and Eddy Oyewole eulogised the late Oba as their mentor and revered traditional ruler.
Chief Balogun said Oba Odulana was his “great father, my philosopher-father. Nigeria will miss you, Ibadan will never forget you”.
Chief Oyewole wrote in the condolence register:” Papa, goodbye to continue living in my heart.”
Some of the late Olubadan’s children described him as an unforgettable father, whose influence on his children kept on waxing stronger until his demise.”
The eldest child of the late monarch, Prof Femi Lana, who could not control his emotion as he was welcomed into the palace by traditional instrumentalists, had his handkerchief on his face as he exchanged plesantries.
He refused to comment, saying: “The governor and the High Chiefs are the only people authorised to speak. That is the process. I can’t say anything. The power lies with the Governor- Olori Oko – when the time is up. So, you have to forgive me. God bless you and thank you for being.”
Princess Yemi Showunmi, the eldest daughter of the late Olubadan, said her father’s unfulfilled dream is the non-creation of Ibadan State.
“My father had many dreams for Ibadanland, but the only one he did not achieve was the creation of Ibadan state. He achieved his desired peace for Ibadan. He displayed so much love towards the building of a greater Ibadan. He is highly disciplined, very upright and God fearing and his love for the city of Ibadan cannot be quantified,” she said.
She said her father’s greatest achievement was seeing Ibadan being free of thuggery.
The former President of Omo Aj’orosun Club, Chief Adebisi Shittu, said the late monarch is a unique king who loved peace and harmony.
“He is well read and very intelligent. He lived a life worthy of emulation. It is not time of mourning but to celebrate a life well lived,” Shittu said.
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