The Olubadan designate, Sen. Lekan Balogun, has pledged to make the promotion of peace and development in Ibadanland his priority during his reign as the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.
Balogun made the pledge on Tuesday, during an interactive session with newsmen, at his Alarere residence in Ibadan.
He said that Ibadan being one of the biggest cities in Africa and also a state capital deserved to have been developed beyond where it is today.
The Olubadan designate said that he would strive to ensure that peace and harmony were sustained in the ancient city.
Balogun said that he would collaborate with the government and other relevant stakeholders to make his reign a success.
Speaking on his journey to the throne, Balogun said he became Mogaji of his compound – Ali-Iwo in 1986 and rose to the position of Otun Olubadan which automatically qualified him to become Olubadan after the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji.
On his career, Balogun said that he took up an appointment with Shell British Petroleum Company where he later became the company’s Head of Recruitment.
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He was also a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, between 1999 and 2003.
Balogun used the occasion to announce the adoption of a new title “Oba Sen. (Dr) Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun-AliIwo, Ali Okunmade 11.”
The new title evolved from his family compound – ‘Ali-Iwo’, where Oba Memudu emerged as Olubadan of Ibadan in 1952.
Lekan Balogun will be the second Olubadan that the Ali-Iwo compound would produce when finally installed.
Recall that Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, approved the appointment of Sen. Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland following a recommendation by the Olubadan-in-Council.
The announcement of Balogun as the Olubadan designate was temporarily delayed because of the suit instituted in court by him and some other high chiefs who were promoted to Obas by the former governor the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi.
The withdrawal of the suit which challenged the out of court settlement reversing the promotion of the chiefs to obas paved the way for the Olubadan-in-Council to announce Balogun as the Olubadan designate.
It is expected that the date for the installation of the new Olubadan will be announced by the state government shortly. (NAN)
