By JKNewsMedia
FOLLOWING THE death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away aged 90 on Monday morning, President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to the late monarch, mourning him as a revered traditional ruler, a statesman of stature, and a steadfast pillar of peace and wisdom.
The President extended his condolences to the royal family, the people and government of Oyo State, and the entire Ibadanland community.
In his tribute, he highlighted the monarch’s extraordinary life marked by public service, intellect, and a deep commitment to national development.
The Olubadan, he said, upheld the honour of his throne while building bridges across traditional and modern spheres of influence.
President Tinubu praised Oba Olakulehin’s leadership as a former military officer, educationist, and custodian of Yoruba heritage. His life, the President noted, exemplified the highest ideals of learning, responsibility, and principled leadership.
Describing him as a man whose wisdom extended beyond his palace, Tinubu said the monarch’s influence reached across governance, education, and the military.
Recounting a personal moment, President Tinubu revealed that he had received an invitation to the Olubadan’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary, which was to be held in the days ahead.
The monarch’s sudden death before the planned celebrations, he said, underscored the fragility of life and the weight of the loss.
He stressed that the Olubadan would be remembered for maintaining the dignity of the Ibadan royal stool and for his role in preserving cultural identity in an evolving Nigeria.
Emphasising the monarch’s stabilising influence within the Yoruba nation, the President lauded Oba Olakulehin’s ability to unite tradition and progress. He described the late royal as a moral compass whose legacy would endure in the hearts of his people.
President Tinubu offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the Olubadan’s soul and encouraged the people of Ibadan to find comfort in the legacy of a leader who dedicated his life to service and community upliftment.
