Ooni of Ife, Atiku, Saraki, others mourn late Olubadan

Late Olubadan was a courageous monarch – Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, expressed sadness over the news of the passing on of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the late Olubadan was a great and courageous monarch who fought valiantly to preserve the dignity of the Ibadan traditional stool and by extension the nation’s traditional institution.

He described the late traditional ruler as a highly accomplished parliamentarian, frontline politician and a statesman who was a member of the Federal House of Representatives in the First Republic and remained till his death a role model for current members of the parliament at state and federal levels.

The late Olubadan, the Senate President stated, was a personality who became an inspiration to the entire Yoruba nation in particular and the country in general.

Saraki said: “Looking at the life and times of the late Olubadan, I cannot but hold my breath considering his achievements. This was a man who started as a clerk, became a teacher, soldier, politician, educationist, parliamentarian, philanthropist and first class traditional ruler in a span of about 100 years. I will simply say he lived a worthy and exemplary life. His was a true life story of grass to grace. This I believe would remain a great source of inspiration to all of us and the upcoming generation.”

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the nation’s traditional institutions, the government and people of Oyo State and the entire Yorubaland; and prayed God to grant the soul of the late monarch sweet repose.

He urged the family of the late monarch and all those in grief over the death to take solace in the fact that the late Olubadan lived life to the full and made positive impact on all those who met or were close to him during his life time.

Dogara, Lasun mourn Olubadan of Ibadanland

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Lasun Yussuff have expressed their sadness over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

Dogara, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, extended his condolence to the family of the deceased monarch, the people of Ibadan and Oyo state as a whole.

He said that though the late revered monarch can be said to have lived to a ripe old age, his death is a loss to Ibadan, Oyo state, and Nigeria ‎in general as his wise counsel can no longer be sought in matters relating to moving the nation forward.

The Speaker prayed God to grant the late monarch eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the big loss.

Lasun, in the condolence message released by his Chief Press Secretary, Wole Oladimeji, described the late traditional ruler as a peace lover whose reign witnessed ‎unprecedented peace and development in his domain.

He said that Ibadan people‎ would forever miss the peace loving monarch for his contributions to the development of Ibadan and environs.

The deputy Speaker however, urged the family of the late Olubadan‎, Ibadan people, and government of Oyo state as a whole to take solace in the Lord that giveth and taketh.

He said that the late monarch died at a ripe old age and hopes that Ibadan people would make use of his legacy in order to transform the ancient city, just as he commended the Ibadan Traditional Council ‎for a good succession plan which has always made it easy to crown the next Olubadan.

Ambode mourns Oba Odugade

Lagos state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday, extended heartfelt commiserations to the people of Ibadan and Oyo state government over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1.

Oba Odulana, who was born on April 14, 1914 and became the Olubadan in July 2007, passed on at the ripe age of 101, on Tuesday evening, in his palace, at the Monatan area of Ibadan.

The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described the late monarch as a well accomplished Nigerian, who cut his teeth in various positions of office he occupied during his hay days.

“Oba Odulana was an accomplished Nigerian in the true sense of the word. He gave his all to serve the country in various capacities. He was a seasoned civil servant and a thoroughbred politician which eventually saw him becoming a Minister in the First Republic.

“His contributions towards the establishment of both primary and secondary schools in various parts of the old Western Region of Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a hurry”, Governor Ambode said.

While commiserating with the family of the late traditional ruler and the people of the state, Ambode urged them to take solace in the fact that the deceased was a devout Christian, humanist, and respected traditional ruler who gave his life to the service of God and to humanity.

“He lived a fulfilled life and will be remembered as a peace loving monarch who served his people selflessly until his glorious exit. He will be sorely missed for his wise counsel and his passion for unity.

“On behalf of the good people of Lagos state, I wish to express our heartfelt condolence to the people of Oyo state, especially the people of Ibadan over the death of this highly respected monarch. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” the Governor said.

Oba Odugade left indelible footprints, says Atiku

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has described the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, as a towering character whose footprints in Nigeria’s politics and traditional rulership will remain indelible.

The Turaki Adamawa recalled that the late Olubadan’s wisdom and counsel, which he rendered to those who encountered him during his reign were invaluable.

“On several occasions during the reign of Oba Odulana, each time I visited Ibadan, I will always pay homage to him at his palace, and at each time I am particularly delighted by his fatherly advice and prayers for me.

“I share in the grief of the people of Ibadan over the demise of this outstanding monarch, but I am more delighted about the fact that Oba Odulana led an impactful lifetime” Atiku said.

Atiku Abubakar, however, condoled with indigenes and residents of the ancient city of Ibadan over the demise of its paramount ruler, and particularly urged family and associates of the late king to take solace in the fact that Oba Odulana lived a rich and impactful life.

Ooni mourns Olubadan

Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Wednesday, said the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, left the world when the entire Yoruba race needed him the most.

He said the monarch left at the moment that the long overdue unification of the Yoruba traditional rulers, and the race in general, is gradually gaining momentum.

The monarch, in a statement issued by Moses Olafare, the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, said the departed Olubadan has indeed secured God’s heart while on earth because he lived substantial part of his life serving the good people of Ibadan, Yoruba land, Oodua race, Nigeria and humanity in general.

The statement reads: “As a public servant, Ibadan traditional chief, Yoruba leader of thought and finally as the revered king of Ibadan which remains a pride of House of Oduduwa, Oba Odulana was exemplary and he distinctly raised the bar of good leadership among his subjects.

“I will personally miss him and he would have played host to Ooni and his entourage; during my unity tour to all Yoruba Obas and leaders of thought which I commenced a couple of days go with the visit to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.”

Ooni averred that Ile Ife will miss the late monarch for his love, respect and support he always demonstrated for the town, adding that “Yoruba race will miss him for his unquantifiable contributions while serving as a senior public servant of the then Western Region and he will surely be greatly missed as a thorough bred descendant of Oduduwa. May his departed soul rest with the King of kings.”

Olubadan was a father to all -Kogi Gov-Elect

Kogi state governor-elect, Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello, has commiserated with Oyo state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the people of Ibadan and the generality of Nigerians over the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba (Dr.) Samuel Odulana.

Bello described the late traditional ruler who joined his ancestors on Tuesday, as a unifying factor who used his good leadership to transform the economy and cultural awareness of the Ibadan people.

In a message of condolence through his Media Officer, Prince Abdulkareem Onyekehi, Bello described the late Olubadan as “a great Nigerian who will be greatly missed for his unifying aura and undying commitment to the transformation of Ibadan and Oyo state as a whole”, saying the nation has lost a gem and cultural Ambassador of African history.

“The late Oba was a father to all Nigerians and through his actions he greatly showed the receptive spirit of the Ibadan people by accommodating Nigerians from different parts of the country. By conferring chieftaincy titles on various Nigerians, he succeeded in making Ibadan a home for all.

“During his reign, the departed Oba attracted development to the ancient city of Ibadan and promoted the city as a blend of traditional power and modernisation. I wish to commiserate with Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and the people of Ibadan over this painful loss”.

The governor-elect called on Nigerians to imbibe the good virtues of the late Oba Odulana and see Nigeria as a united nation, capable of helping citizens achieve their pursuits.

He also described the late Oba as a humble leader who gave his all to his people through commitment to development and the prosperity of Ibadanland.