Tinubu, Akande, Osun Assembly, others mourn Olubadan

National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, yesterday, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, described the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, as a disciplined, forthright centenarian with a sound sense of judgment.
Tinubu, who was accompanied by Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; former national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, state chairman of the party, Chief Akin Oke and Chief Tayo Akinyelure, was at the Monatan palace of the late monarch, who passed on last Tuesday at 101 years.
The entourage was received by the first son of the late monarch, Prof. Allan Femi Odulana, his widow, Olori Moriyike Lana, as well as the Olubadan-in-Council, led by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun. Tinubu, who lauded Ajimobi for breaking the jinx of second term in Oyo State, praised the late Oba Odulana for his support, which made the feat possible.
The former Lagos State governor said unlike some Obas in the country, who are known for unsavoury behaviour, the late Olubadan was forthright and downright sound in his judgment, the reason his entourage considered it imperative to pay the condolence visit.
Chief Akande, while also extolling the virtues of the late Olubadan, described him as an astute politician and parliamentarian whose reign was peaceful and made the state cleaner. While describing him as ‘Our Dictionary,’ he said, “Baba was our dictionary whom we were consulting always. We pray that God provides us another dictionary.”
Responding on behalf of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Balogun thanked Tinubu and his entourage for the gesture of commiserating with the late Oba’s family. The scion of the family, Prof. Lana was also full of appreciation to the visitors, saying the late Oba was father to all and that his celebration would be done by all.
He called for prayer for the widow of the late Oba, saying that “our Olori had no social life since the past 15 years.
Her concentration had always been on my father.” Osun State House of Assembly, under the leadership of its Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salaam, has also expressed its condolences to the people and government of Oyo State over the demise of the Olubadan.
The Assembly stated that the passing away of the monarch was a great loss to the Yoruba nation.
In a statement by the chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the Assembly said though, the monarch was ripe in age, his contribution to the Yoruba nation, impact and positive influence in the country would be greatly missed.
The assembly acknowledged that the late monarch left indelible marks in various positions he occupied in public service during his hay days, hence the virtuosity he brought to bear during his reign.
The parliament described the late traditional ruler as an honest, decent and forthright personality, stressing that the late Oba Odulana spent his life serving humanity.