Olubadan not dead – Palace
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is hale and hearty, the palace has said. There was anxiety over reports suggesting that Olakulehin had passed away at 89, but the Oyo State Government denied it. The Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Gbenga Ayoade, told Daily Trust that the report had caused an embarrassment not […]
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is hale and hearty, the palace has said.
There was anxiety over reports suggesting that Olakulehin had passed away at 89, but the Oyo State Government denied it.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Gbenga Ayoade, told Daily Trust that the report had caused an embarrassment not only to Ibadan, Oyo State but the entire Nigeria.
He said there’s no point in hiding the death of a king like Olubadan.
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He said, “Nothing happened. Baba is hale and hearty. Presently, I am at the palace. I have just left a meeting for the first anniversary of Baba. I am a member of that committee, the first anniversary of the Olubadan of Ibadan and the grand finale will come up in July.
“Like yesterday, Baba came out and those who went to see him. I don’t know a political jobber, a fool who wrote that story and caused embarrassment not only to the people of Ibadan, Oyo State, but Nigeria as a whole. I don’t know where he got the story.”
Another chief at the palace told Daily Trust “Can you hide the death of a king? Ibadan does not have any customs or traditions that stop us from announcing it. Secondly, what do we stand to gain? Is he a government official that the children want to hide his money? There is no reason for it.”
Oba Olakulehin, born July 5, 1935, received his staff of office from Governor Seyi Makinde on July 12, 2024, following the death of the 42nd Olubadan, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun Alli Okumade II, who died on March 14 at the age of 81 years.