Celebrations have begun at the Ibadan residence of Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, as family members and well-wishers troop in and out.

Mr Balogun is next in line to become Olubadan of Ibadanland, according to stipulated hierarchical order of ascension to the throne.

This comes shortly after the demise of the current Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, was announced on Sunday morning.

Traditional drummers were seen singing songs of praises for the incoming Olubadan at the Aliiwo Compound and Mr Balogun’s Alarere residence in Ibadan.

Community heads, friends, and other well-wishers were also seen waiting to meet the incoming Olubadan. 
By the way of traditional panegyric, Ibadan indigenes are referred to as “Omo agbotikuyo” (a people who rejoice at the news of a death).
While a few visitors were allowed to meet Mr Balogun in his private room, others were disallowed by security personnel guarding the house.

Some of the family members who spoke with NAN expressed joy for making it possible for their family to produce another Olubadan after long years of waiting.

One of the family members, Mukaila Adebisi, said the last time Aliiwo Compound produced Oba Memudu as Olubadan, was in 1952.

Tributes have since poured in for the late Olubadan who died at the age of 93 at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo state.

(NAN)