Aregbesola Mourns Late Olubadan, Describes Him As An Embodiment Of Culture, Tradition
Interim National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has condoled with the Olubadan-in-Council and Ibadan community in general over the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Akinloye Olakulehin.
In a tribute personally signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, Aregbesola noted that the late monarch was an embodiment of culture and tradition, with enduring legacies of impact on his people.
The immediate-past Minister of Interior who recalled the sojourn of the departed monarch, as a soldier, businessman and solid entrepreneur, whose life impacted humanity in no mean measure.
READ THE FULL TRIBUTE BELOW:
THE SOLDIER KING DEPARTS: TRIBUTE TO OBA OWOLABI OLAKULEYIN
I received with much sadness but submission to God the news of the departure of our revered royal father, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Olalere Owolabi Olakuleyin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Oba Olakuleyin was a revered monarch who ascended the throne on July 12, 2024 as the 43rd Olubadan, to succeed Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun.
His record of service began in 1970 when he joined the Nigerian Army where he served with distinction and retired in 1979 after which he ventured into entrepreneurship, with stakes in civil construction, printing and bakery.
He joined the famous Ibadan royal lineage in 1983 when he was installed the Mogaji of Ige Olakuleyin family of Ita Baale Olugbode and rose through the ranks to become Olubadan about one year ago.
The late Oba was a progressive, having been elected into the Nigerian House of Representatives in 1992 in the stillborn Third Republic under the banner of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP).
His was a man of great wisdom, compassion and geniality. His generosity of material and spirit is legendary. He had a very strong personality and would leave a strong impression on everyone he met or came under his sphere of influence.
He will be greatly missed.
My deepest condolences to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the good people of Ibadan, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rasheed Ladoja, and not the least, his family, friends, associates and well-wishers. May God grant you his comfort, peace and the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
May the departed Kabiyesi find unending joy and comfort in his next station.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
