The Founder of Hassan Olawale Giwa (HOG) Foundation, Arc (Dr.) Hassan Giwa has congratulated the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr.) Lekan Balogun, the Alli-Okunmade the second, who ascended the throne of his forefather on March 11, 2022.
Arc Giwa, in a statement personally signed, described the new Olubadan as an embodiment of knowledge, who has contributed immensely to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
The monarch received the Staff of and Instrument Office from the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde at the ancient Mapo Hill today in Ibadan, the state capital.
The coronation was attended by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and prominent traditional rulers across Yorubaland.
He said that Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun, the Alli-Okunmade the second is blessed with wealth of experience that is capable of bringing peace and meaningful development to Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
According to Arc Giwa, “Oba Moshood Lekan Balogun is a scholar, businessman and a politician, not only a politician but a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; he has travelled far and wide and garnered experiences enough to bring peace and development to Ibadan and Oyo State.
“Oba Balogun has paid his due by climbing the Ibadan chieftaincy ladder for the record of 36 years when he became the Mogaji of Aliiwo dynasty,” he said.
Hassan Giwa, who is also a son of Aliiwo dynasty, said the confirmation of the new Olubadan by the Olubadan-in-Council and approval by the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has once again proved the uniqueness of Ibadan tradition and rotational chieftaincy system.
“I want to congratulate my father and the Olubadan of Ibadan, (Senator) Lekan Balogun, on his ascension as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“I pray for a long, eventful and successful reign for the new Olubadan, Oba (Dr.) Moshood Lekan Balogun, the Okunmade Aliiwo the second as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
Arc Giwa also congratulated the Onilagun of Lagun, Chief Najeem Bello, Onilagun-in-Council, Lagun Council of Elders, sons and daughters of Lagun and Aliiwo dynasty, home and abroad and the entire indigenes of Ibadanland all over the world on the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, the Alli-Okunmade the 2nd.
While soliciting support and cooperation for the new Olubadan from the Olubadan-in-Council, Ibadan Council of Elders, Council of Mogajis, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and the entire Ibadan indigenes for the new Olubadan to have a successful reign.
Arc Giwa, thereafter, prayed that the time and reign of the new Olubadan brings peace, joy, happiness and unparalleled prosperity to all and sundry in Ibadan and Oyo State by extension.
