Ruth Semilore
The late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, was on Friday laid to rest amid funfair at the St Peter’s Cathedral Church, Aremo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede (represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Mechanised Division, Maj Gen Obina Onubogwu), and other notable Nigerians paid glowing tributes to the 43rd Olubadan, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025.
The late monarch, who retired as a Major in the Nigerian Army, was accorded full military honours, including the presentation of the Nigerian flag and ceremonial gun salutes to mark his final departure.
In his sermon, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province and Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Rev’d Williams Aladekugbe, urged all mortals to be mindful of the lives they live.
Quoting copiously from 2 Corinthians 5:10, the cleric said,
“Let us be careful about the lives we live, and be wary of judging others, especially when you don’t have all the facts. Take heed that you don’t spend your today in a way that may ruin your tomorrow. Remember that all of us will give account to our Creator.”
He, however, criticised politicians seeking a single term in the 2027 elections, describing the move as a scam.
Aladekugbe, who described such aspirants as desperate politicians, lamented that some were already focused on 2027 while hardship in the country persisted.
“Any politician bargaining for only one single term is showing desperation — and it will not work in Nigeria.
“It is also desperation when leaders are seen carrying plates and serving food at parties. All of these will never work”, he said.
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He expressed concern that while the government claimed to have stabilised the economy, increases in telecommunications tariffs at a time of skyrocketing prices and deepening poverty signalled insensitivity and a disconnect from the masses.
“To talk about 2027 now is a disgrace to governance. It’s an abuse of the people’s mandate and a reckless disregard for the concerns of the people,” he added.
Aladekugbe urged elected officials to focus on governance, security, and the welfare of citizens rather than political intrigues.
He lamented that insecurity had worsened, with lives being lost daily to banditry, herdsmen attacks, and other violent crimes, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to “rise to the occasion and stop the killings.”
The cleric described the late Olubadan as “a leader of grace with a heart full of compassion,” adding that during his reign, Ibadanland enjoyed peaceful coexistence, unprecedented development, and transformation of its traditional institutions.
Also in attendance were the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Ahmed Gbadamosi; former Minister of Steel and Power, Wole Oyelese; Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South), Taofeek Arapaja; members of the Olubadan-in-Council led by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes led by President-General, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; Mogajis (family heads); Baales; military personnel; and operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), among others.
