The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, Sen. Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central), Iba Gani Adams and Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, a former Minister of Communications, have expressed sadness over the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
They expressed their condolences in separate statements made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja and Ibadan respectively.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, condoled with the Olubadan Royal Family, the people and Government of Oyo State.
The speaker expressed sadness over the death of the first class traditional ruler, describing his passage as “shocking and depressing” .
The 93-year-old traditional ruler died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in the early hours of Sunday during an illness.
NAN reports that Oba Adetunji, was the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland and ascended the throne of his forefathers on March 4, 2016.
The speaker said Oba Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on Sunday at the age of 93, would be sorely missed by all well-meaning sons and daughters of Ibadan and Yorubaland.
Gbajabiamila noted the good leadership the Olubadan provided while he reigned, describing him as an exemplary leader with uncommon love for his people.
He prayed God to find a peaceful resting place for the late traditional ruler and console his family and subjects over the loss.
Also, Folarin, in his condolence message, described Oba Adetunji as the most peace-loving traditional ruler Ibadan ever had.
“I received the news of the passing away of our highly revered royal father with shock. I am greatly saddened and devastated with his demise.
“Baba’s contributions to unity of Yoruba Nation, impact and positive influence in the country will be greatly missed.
“He left indelible marks in Nigeria’s entertainment industry and also as an imperial king in Yorubaland. Baba was an honest, decent and forthright king,” he said.
The three-term senator said that Olubadan’s demise was a monumental loss to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria’s traditional institution.
Folarin, who is the Ayingun Olubadan, prayed that God would grant the late king eternal rest.
He, however, commiserated with the Olubadan-in-Council, Adetunji Royal Family, the people of Ibadan and Oyo State at large.
In his condolence, Mr Adebayo Shittu, the former Minister of Communications, said it was sad to hear that the most revered father and quintessential Royal Majesty, Oba Adetunji, is gone.
The former minister described the late traditional ruler as a very humble, pacific and ever- smiling Oba.
“He saw all Ibadan residents as one people, notwithstanding our diverse ethnics, religious and sociocultural backgrounds.
“In practical terms, he was non-combative and a father of all. For me in particular, I owe my traditional title of Agbaakin Fiwagboye of Ibadanland to his benevolence.
“I never applied nor lobbied for the position. I pray Almighty Allah to grant his homecoming, forgive his sins and reward him with Al-Jannat Frodaos,’’ the former minister said.
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Shittu commiserated with all Ibadan title holders (Traditional and Honorary), family members and all Ibadan sons and daughters on the demise of the traditional ruler.
Also, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, described the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland as a huge loss.
Reacting, Adams said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Aderemi, that the demise of the first class oba had robbed Nigeria and the entire Yorubaland of a matured and peaceful oba.
The Aare said that the late Oba Adetunji was mostly loved by sons and daughters of Ibadanland, having the most peaceful reign in Ibadan in recent times.
Adams said: “I feel bad at the news of Kabiyesi’s death; however, I am happy he died a hero.
“The late Oba Adetunji, in his life, brought immense development to Ibadanland. He was very matured, pleasant, and peaceful.
“The late Olubadan was never controversial. With Kabiyesi’s death, Yorubaland has lost a peaceful king and symbol of humility.
“We have also lost one of our respected obas and a pillar of hope for our race.
“Olubadan’s death had also robbed us of a true ambassador, whose maturity and wealth of experience is next to none.”
The Aare applauded the late Olubadan’s robust relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, throughout his reign.
Adams said that the late oba was among the prominent Obas that graced his installation ceremony as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland in Oyo, in January 2018.
“Kabiyesi’s matured and peaceful life was in display throughout his reign and it was evident that Ibadanland had a peaceful and great moments in history during his reign.
“Very pleasant, the late Oba Adetunji was a brave man with distinct records of successes.
“Kabiyesi’s five years reign was a milestone and we can hardly forget his immense contributions to the ancient town of Ibadan as well as the traditional institutions,” he added.
Adams said that Oba Adetunji died at a deservedly old age, and his strength of character was very noticeable.
According to him, the late Olubadan’s imprints in Ibadan and the entire South-West were remarkable.
Adams, who prayed for the repose of the traditional ruler, said that Ibadan and the entire South-West would miss his forthrightness, strong voice and exemplary character.
NAN reports that Olubadan’s death brought to four, the numbers of prominent Yoruba traditional rulers that had joined their ancestors in the last few weeks.
It would be recalled that the 95- year-old Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, died on Dec. 12; the Asigangan of Iganganland, also in Oyo State, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adewuyi Aribiyan II, died on Dec. 21.
The Gbiri of Epinmi Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Ade Oyekan, joined his ancestors on Dec. 27 at the aged of 60.
The late Oba Adetunji was the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, following his coronation on March 4, 2016.
