Olori Olayinka Balogun reflects on 41 days since Olubadan’s passing
Olori Olayinka Balogun, the eldest surviving wife of the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadanland, reflected on the past forty-one days since the passing of her husband.
Sharing her experience at the 41 days Fidau prayers held in memory of the late monarch at his Aliwo ancestral home in Ibadan, Olori Balogun expressed the family’s struggle to come to terms with the absence of Kabiyesi.
She described the feeling as still being in a dreamland, grappling with the harsh reality of his eternal departure—a symbol of love and unity for the family.
Despite the pain, she expressed gratitude to the extended family and others who have offered support during their time of grief.
Olori Balogun also acknowledged the outpouring of tributes and praises for her departed husband, finding solace in his legacy of service to humanity and resolving to uphold it.
“We thank God for a fulfilled life lived by our late husband, though still feel pained that he left us so suddenly. We are very encouraged by the outpouring of encomium on our departed hero and ready to forge ahead, lifting aloft his legacies of service to humanity”.
Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam of Aliwo Central Mosque, Moshood Giwa had admonished the people to live their lives in a pleasing way to their creator so as to enjoy His grace of eternal commendation whenever the end comes and which in most cases is unexpected.
Reading from the holy Quran to buttress his views, the Cleric said “both the two heavens cannot be missed by any mortal when judgment is pronounced by our maker and the owner of both heaven and earth. Whatever one does here determines which of the two heavens is allotted on the day of judgment which is why it is very important to live rightly to please the Almighty Allah so as to enjoy His favour at the close of the creation”.
On the late Olubadan, the Cleric recalled that the family members were deeply pained that his reign was so short, but became thankful to the Almighty Allah for his life and times when peoples’ comments were taken into consideration.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event include; three of the members of Olubadan Advisory Council- Obas Tajudeen Ajibola, Hamidu Ajibade and Abiodun Azeez, the Otun Balogun, Ekerin Olubadan and Ekarun Balogun respectively.
Others were some of the Ibadan Royal Highnesses, Baales and Mogajis as well as some of the executive committee members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) led by the President-General, Barr. Niyi Ajewole.
Oba Balogun joined his ancestors on the 14th March after a brief illness and buried the following day at the family’s burial site within the Aliiwo compound. Oba Balogun lived for 81 years and reigned for just two years as Olubadan.
