The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II has described the sudden death of Ekefa Olubadan, Senior Chief Lateef Oyelade has been described as a great loss to Ibadan’s social, religious and traditional system.
This was just as the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde condoled with the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the people of Ibadanland over the death of the Ekefa Olubadan and Babasale Musulumi of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Lateef Oyelade.
The governor equally expressed his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Senior Chief, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the late Chief Oyelade.
The Babaasale Musulumi of Ibadanland was until his demise early Friday morning member of the Otun line of the Olubadan ascendancy system where he rose to the exalted level of Ekefa, just a step before becoming a High Chief and member of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
Describing the deceased elder statesman as a community man and an individual who was passionate about Ibadan and Oyo State’s progress, Governor Makinde noted that the deceased contributed immensely to the growth of the city in his own ways.
Makinde in a statement signed by his Chief Press secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju said: “I express my condolences to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun and the traditional council, over the death of the Ekefa Olubadan, Senior Chief Lateef Oyelade.
“I equally condole with the immediate family of Baba and the Muslim Ummah in Ibadanland to whom he was a patron and a great figure as Babasale Musulumi of Ibadanland.
“I pray that Allah SWT grants him Aljanah Firdaus.”
Olubadan, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by his Personal Assistant (Media), Oladele Ogunsola expressed shock and bewilderment by the sad news, asking the Almighty Allah to forgive his late Chief all his shortcomings.
Recalling the last interaction between the two of them which was about two weeks ago, the monarch said, “The death was shocking to me as nothing suggested that the meeting would be the last of such. The death is another of Allah’s mysterious ways of doing His own things. Who are we to query His ways?
“Aside from our relationship in the traditional system, we shared a brotherly relationship as he remained among the few who would visit just to check on me and my welfare and not necessarily for any favour or assistance regarding his role and post in the traditional system.
“He was also always available to give robust and effective representation anytime he was called upon by the palace to represent me. A very deeply religious person, a philanthropist and a well-composed personality, he possessed a very good sense of judgment. He is going to be sorely missed”, Olubadan added.
Oba Balogun commiserated with both the immediate and extended families of the late Senior Chief, the Ibadan traditional institution, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the Muslim community and the generality of Ibadan sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora with a charge to appreciate the Almighty Allah for the good life led by the late religious and traditional leader.
“The death is a painful loss and another exit of a committed, loyal and steadfast Ibadan patriot. We are going to miss him. We however give thanks to the Almighty Allah for giving him to us and for recalling him home at His appointed time. I pray the Almighty Allah to grant him Aljanat Fridaus and comfort all”, Oba Balogun said further.
