A former governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, who died last week at the age of 101.
Tinubu, who was led to the palace by the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, described the late monarch as a disciplined, forthright centenarian, whose sense of judgment was unparalled.
A former National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, Oyo State Chairman of the party, Akin Oke, were some of the party leaders who followed Tinubu to the palace.
After the APC leaders’ visit, a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who recently defected to the APC from the Labour Party, also paid a visit to the family.
The entourage was received by the Odulana family led by the eldest son of the deceased, Prof. Femi ‘Lana, and the widow, Olori Moriyike as well as the Olubadan-in-Council led by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun.
In his tribute, Tinubu commended the late Oba for supporting the APC and Ajimobi re-election bid.
He said, “Baba did not put us to shame. He was honest and forthright. He was downright in his judgment on issues. Because our governor, Ajimobi, changed the face of Oyo from dirtiness to cleanliness, our Baba conferred on him the title of Atunluse of Ibadanland. This development has prevented the spread of Lassa fever in the state. Baba left the state in progress. I pray the progress is not retarded.”
While extolling the virtues of the late king, Akande said, “Baba was our dictionary whom we were consulting always. We pray that God should provide us another dictionary.”
High Chief Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the Olubadan-in-Council, thanked Tinubu and other APC leaders for the visit, while Prof. ‘Lana said his father’s burial was the responsibility of all because he played the role of a father to his people.
Also, the Osun State House of Assembly has described the death of Oba Odulana as a huge loss to Yoruba nation.
The lawmakers said this in a statement in Osogbo on Sunday signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Olatubosun Oyintiloye.
The legislators said though, the monarch was ripe in age, his contributions to Yoruba nation and positive influence in the country would be greatly missed.
The assembly noted that the late monarch left indelible marks in various positions he occupied in public service during his heyday.
The condolence message said, “Though aged, it is very unfortunate that the Olubadan died at this period that his elderly wisdom are required to achieve the change mantra of government at the federal and state levels.
“It is on record that Oba Odulana lived the largest part of his life to serve humanity in general and fought the course of his subjects at the levels where he had served, either as a public servant or as a traditional ruler”
“The exemplary leadership that Oba Odulana has offered and roles he has played for the unity and progress of Oyo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria in general will be greatly missed.
