Hundreds of sympathisers on Wednesday trooped to the Monatan palace of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odugade Odulana, to mourn the late monarch, who died on Tuesday at the age of 101.

As early as 6am, mourners had stormed the palace, standing in groups extolling the virtues of the departed monarch, who was crowned as the 38th Olubadan in August 2007.

Sympathisers, as well as dignitaries including Ibadan high chiefs and other Ibadan elders were received into the family by the late monarch’s first son, Prof. Femi Lana.

Among the high chiefs present at the palace are the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, and Ashipa Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole. They both said the late king was a great philosopher whose memory would linger on in the minds of his people.

Among the early callers was the Provost of the Cathedral of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Aremo, Ibadan, Rev. Wale Adebiyi, who said he was with the Olubadan on Tuesday to give him the Holy Communion.

“I gave him Holy Communion few hours before his death and there was no sign that he was going to die yesterday (Tuesday). But we give thanks to God for his well-spent life,” he said.

In his tribute, the Bishop of Anglican Church, Ibadan North Diocese and Archbishop of Ibadan Province, the Most Rev. Dr. Segun Okubadejo, described the late Olubadan as a peacemaker, astute administrator and a devoted Christian.

He said, “The late Kabiyesi was my first parishioner. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Peter’s, Aremo. He was a good lover of the church and a devoted worshipper until his death. We thank God that during his reign as Olubadan, there was peace in the city and the state.

“We enjoyed the peace that reigned during his time and we want to believe that the next Olubadan will continue in that line. Wherever there are problems, especially in chieftaincy matters, we pray that God will grant him (the new Olubadan) the wisdom to mediate so that peace will continue to reign in Ibadan.”