The 40th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, who ascended the throne of his forefathers on August 17, 2007, is dead.
He died at 102 years and spent nine years on the throne.
Reports yesterday night indicated that the monarch breathed his last yesterday between 2:30pm and 3:00pm and his remains was immediately taken to a mortuary.
A source within the Olubadan palace, who declined to be named, told Daily Sun that Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, would be informed officially about the monarch’s death today and added that, “the governor will formally announce to sons and daughters of the city, the demise of the paramount ruler of Ibadanland.”
When contacted, the late Olubadan’s eldest son, Prof. Femi Lana, declined to confirm his father’s death. He simply said: “No comment.”
The last public function attended by the monarch was on January 1, 2016, when he effected the promotion of nine Ibadan chiefs in Olubadan line. The promoted chiefs included Chief Saliu Adetunji, who is now the Olubadan-in-waiting; Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun; and Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is a former governor of the state.
Chief Adetunji is from the Military Line (Balogun) and he is to succeed Oba Odulana who was from the Civil Line (Otun).
It was gathered that the traditional ruler had been sick for sometime as a result of old age.
The late Olubadan was born on April 14, 1914 and in 1964, he became Minister of State for Labour. He joined the royal chieftancy lineage as Mogaji in 1972. He became the Olubadan at the age of 93 in 2007 (Daily Sun)