Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, on Sunday described the deceased Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 as an exemplary royal father.
He said that despite his ripe age, the passage of the monarch, who he described as a great leader of his people, was painful.
The governor added that the wisdom and wealth of experience of the monarch would be sorely missed.
He expressed condolences to the immediate family of the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.
Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said the Kabiyesi gave his all to see that Ibadanland is developed and took its pride of place as one of the major cities in Africa.
His words: “The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock.
“Kabiyesi’s exit at this time is painful, to say the least.
“His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled.
“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.
“I commiserate with his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.
“I equally extend my condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council and pray to God to keep all our Obas safe and give them more years to direct the affairs of our people, especially as Olubadan’s death is coming on the heels of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland and Asigangan of Igangan.
“May God grant them all eternal rest.”
Meanwhile, the body of the late has arrived at the Popoyemoja Palace, Ibadan.
His remains were conveyed in an ambulance of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
His body arrived at about 10:40am.
Islamic clerics were already at the palace for prayers.
It was gathered that the late monarch might be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites.
Oba Adetunji was aged 93.
Sympathisers have besieged the palace to mourn the monarch.
Meanwhile, details of how the late monarch joined his ancestors, have emerged.
The Olubadan died 22 days after the death of Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi.
Oba Adetunji was crowned Olubadan after the demise of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.
Explaining how the monarch passed on to reporters, the Palace spokesman, Adeola Oloko said: “It was around 1am that Kabiyesi passed on.
“Around 9pm (Saturday), he was first taken to a private hospital, before he was carried to UCH Ibadan around 1am, thereafter he passed on.
“Baba passed on after a brief illness. He spent about five to six days at the hospital.”
He said the late Olubadan will be buried on Sunday (today) by 4pm.
Oloko refuted rumors that the monarch died of COVID-19.
His remains will be buried at the palace.
The grave diggers have commenced work.
Also, the Ekarun Olubadan, High Chief Amidu Ajibade, confirmed the passage.
Oba Adetunji was crowned the 41st Olubadan on March 4, 2017.
He took over after the demise of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade.
Born on August 26, 1928 to the family of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji in the Alusekere compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan, he was the eldest of his father’s 17 children.
His mother came from the Balogun family of Apomu while his father was a renowned Ibadan indigene.
