The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, who died on Thursday night, will be buried on Friday, March 15, 2024.
According to a source close to the late monarch’s family, the king would be buried at 4:pm in Aliwo Palace, where all his ancestors were buried, in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Oba Balogun, a former politician who represented the Oyo Central Senatorial District from 1999 to 2003, was born in 1942 and was Ibadanland’s 42nd Olubadan.
He ascended to the throne on March 11, 2022, following the death of his predecessor, Oba Saliu Adetunji. Adetunji, aged 93, died on January 2, 2022, after reigning since March 4, 2016.
Meanwhile, all other things being equal, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun of Ibadanland, who leads the military line of the Olubadan system, is expected to succeed the deceased monarch as the next Olubadan of Ibadan.
Palace drummers will relocate from Alli-Iwo to Ọba Olakulehin’s Ita Baale Palace on Friday, marking his symbolic succession to the throne.
Sunbo Owolabi, Olakulehin’s son, served as Commissioner for Water Resources under the government of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor and senator, is next in line to Olakulehin and leads the civil line as Otun Olubadan of Ibadan.
The death of Oba Balogun and the assumption of office by another Olubadan will result in advancement within the Olubadan system, particularly in the Balogun line, from which the new Olubadan will arise.