Since death is a fact of life for every human being on earth, Alhaji Prince Ibrahim Asawale Oloyede-Asanike, one of the princes of Ibadanland, has counselled Olubadan in-Council and kingmakers to always accord departed souls the respect they deserve.
Ibrahim-Asanike, while mourning the late 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, noted that it’s wrong to be dancing on the grave of the dead when every single soul shall taste death.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan, the Prince who said it’s true that Ibadan indigenes are Ọmọ Agbotikuyo, pointed out that it’s crucial to always pay late Olubadan the utmost respect by observing at least 24 hours of mourning because all souls will eventually experience death.
According to him, it is surprising that anyone would celebrate the unexpected passing of a monarch after they had earlier gathered at his resident to discuss Ibadanland’s development.
Urging the Olubadan-in-council, kingmakers, and traditional leaders in Ibadan to exercise prudence, particularly in this day and age when social media is making fun of the Ibadan royal family, he added that it’s too early to start pitching tent with successor.
Ibrahim-Asanike, who insisted that the Olubadan position is mortal, however noted that those who have held it before have become late while urging the Olubadan-in-Council and kingmakers to quickly make a review and stop subjecting the royal houses and lineage to mockery in the state.
He, however, urged the Oyo state government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde to make sure that the late Olubadan’s sons and daughters are duly recognized in Ibadan’s affairs, saying that they were sometimes overlooked or forgotten after their father passed away.
The Prince, who recounted some of his late father Oba Yesufu Oloyede-Asanike’s accomplishments during his reign, declared that he would continue to be remembered in the history of Ibadanland, just as he urged the next king and Ibadan monarchs to follow in his father’s footsteps so that history would also be fair to them.
He added that his late father made tremendous impact towards the development of Ibadanland as no one is yet to beat his record, praying that God to also give incoming kings the power and opportunity to make meaningful impact for good remembrance.
He said: “The sudden news of Olubadan’s passing came to me as a rude shock. This is really a great loss to the family, Ibadanland and Oyo State.
“In this moment of grief, we must endeavor to honor departed soul. It is true we are Omo agbotikuyo but let give the last respect to the late monarch.
“While I offer my condolences to the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Traditional Council, the kingmakers, and the Olubadan-in-Council, I am pleading with them to exercise caution, particularly in this day of social media, to avoid making fun of Ibadan royal houses by hurrying to celebrate the next Olubadan in line without grieving or paying our final respects to the departed soul for at least a day. In the twenty-first century, this needs to be corrected as we already know the next 43rd Olubadan in making not controversial.
“Oba Olakuleyin who is the next king is also our father. I am also wishing him a succesful tenure. He’s one of my father’s good products.
“I am also pleading with the Oyo State government to make sure that the late Olubadan’s sons and daughters are acknowledged in Ibadan’s development affairs; I think this will further smoothen relationship between the royal lineages.”
Recall that following the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, late Thursday night, some drummers in Ibadan have relocated to Ita Baale, the family residence of Ọba Olakulehin, announcing him as the next to assume the throne.
As it is the tradition of the ancient city, while mourners wear pensive and mourning look at the palace of the late Olubadan, well wishers are having a nice time at Oba Olakulehin residence who is expected to be the next in the hierarchy to become the next Olubadan.
