Tinubu Pays Tribute to Late Olubadan, Oba Olakulehin

Abuja, Nigeria:President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, describing the revered monarch as a symbol of peace, wisdom, and principled leadership.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the government, and the people of Oyo State. The President said he received the news of the 90-year-old monarch’s death with profound sadness and shock.

“Just last week, I received an invitation from the late Olubadan to mark his 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary. His passing, just days before the celebrations, is deeply saddening,” Tinubu said.

Reflecting on Oba Olakulehin’s life, President Tinubu praised the monarch’s exceptional dedication to public service, his commitment to peace, and his enduring legacy as a custodian of Ibadan’s culture and history.

“Oba Olakulehin was a man of intellect and integrity, a royal father whose wisdom and moral authority served as a unifying force across Ibadanland and the Yoruba nation. His influence extended beyond traditional leadership into education, governance, and national development,” he noted.

Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village near Akanran, Oba Olakulehin rose through the traditional Ibadan succession system—alternating between the civil (Otun) and military (Balogun) lines—and ascended the throne on March 14, 2024, following the demise of Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun.

A respected academic, the late monarch earned a master’s degree in administration and economics and pursued doctoral studies. He served as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he was known for his principled, research-driven approach and resistance to sycophancy.

President Tinubu commended Oba Olakulehin’s ability to bridge tradition and modernity, noting that his life was a testament to the highest ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service.

He concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of the late monarch’s soul and urged the people of Ibadan to find solace in the enduring values and legacy he left behind.

By Enoch odesola /july 7, 2025