By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja, From Alfred Babs, Ilorin

There had been a stream of condolences to the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Ibadan residents and the people of Oyo State following the death of the Ibadan paramount ruler on Sunday.

Prominent among the mourners is President Muhammadu Buhari, who has condoled with the government of Oyo State and the people of Ibadan over the passage of the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

In condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari charged the people of Ibadan, especially the royal family and the Olubadan-in-Council, to preserve the virtues of devotion to unity, peace and tolerance that Oba Adetunji was known for.

“The President said the death of the monarch, whom he described as a visionary and compassionate leader, has created a huge void in traditional leadership in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, the Royal Family, the Olubadan-in-council and the people of Ibadan on the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
 “The President affirms that the late Kabiyesi was a visionary and compassionate leader, who used the spheres of his influence as a respected traditional ruler and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people, encouraging and motivating them to give their best in their vocation and to the nation.

“While his demise understandably leaves a huge void to fill, the President urges the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the eternal memory of the deceased by imbibing the virtues he cherished so much: generosity, peace, tolerance and devotion to unity.

“As the funeral rites of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland get underway in Ibadan, the President trusts that the process of selecting his successor will be guided by wisdom, understanding and good judgment that exemplified the life he lived.

“President Buhari prays God to grant the soul of Oba Adetunji eternal rest and comfort the family, friends, associates and subjects he left behind,” the statement read.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar in his message of condolence described the Olubadan as “a wise man of age whose counsels and fatherly posturing brought a lot of admiration to traditional institutions.”

The former vice president also condoled with his family, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the people and government of Oyo State “for losing two highly rated traditional rulers in quick succession within a month.”

The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, in his condolence message, expressed shock at the passing of the Aje Ogungunniso 1, describing him as an exemplar in royalty.
Makinde stated that the demise of the royal icon, who he described as a great leader of his people and an exemplary royal father, was painful despite his old age, adding that his wisdom and wealth of experience would be sorely missed.
The governor expressed his condolences to the immediate family of the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that Kabiyesi gave his all to see that Ibadanland is developed and took its pride of place as one of the major cities in Africa.
“The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock.

“Kabiyesi’s exit at this time is painful, to say the least. His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled.

“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.
“I commiserate with his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.

“I equally extend my condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council and pray to God to keep all our Obas safe and give them more years to direct the affairs of our people, especially as Olubadan’s death is coming on the heels of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland and Asigangan of Igangan. May God grant them all eternal rest.”

His Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom in a message of  condolences to the Oyo State  Governor, Seyi Makinde, the Ibadan Traditional Council and his immediate family, described the death of Oba Adetunji as painful lamenting that his wisdom and wise counsel will be missed at a time Nigeria is going through difficult challenges.

Governor Ortom regretted that the late monarch’s passage is coming at a time “His wealth of experience garnered over the years, his immense wisdom, and his commitment to a united and  greater Nigeria with a better Oyo State are unrivalled.”

The Governor said the Ibadan Traditional Council, the government and people of Oyo State and indeed Nigeria and entire humanity will miss the late Oba Adetunji who had shown commitment to give his all for a better society is particularly painful.

He then prayed God to give the Oyo State Government, Ibadan Traditional Council and the immediate family of the late monarch the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

This is as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, expressed sadness over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadan.

Gbajabiamila  in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said Oba Adetunji, who passed at the age of 93, would be sorely missed by all well-meaning sons and daughters of Ibadan and Yorubaland.

He noted the good leadership the Olubadan provided while he reigned, saying he was an exemplary leader with uncommon love for his people.

The Speaker in the statement, sent his condolences to the Olubadan royal family, the people and Government of Oyo State.

He prayed God to find a peaceful resting place for the late Olubadan and console his family and subjects over the loss.

The Emir of Ilorin has also mourned the late monarch, just as the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona said, ”His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, hereby commiserate with the Olubadan-In-Council, families, friends, government and good people of Oyo State over the death His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji who passed away today.

“The deceased was known for his patience and commitments to the growth and development of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general since his enthronement to the royal lineage of Olubadan-In-Council and much later when he became the paramount ruler of the ancient city of Ibadan in 2017.”

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari further said, “Inna lillahi Waina Ilaehi Rooojihun.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, admit him into Al-janatul firdaos and give the entire families that he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Dr. Saraki in a personally signed statement said, “My deepest condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, the Olubadan Council, and the family of His Royal Highness, over the passing of our renowned royal father, HRH Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“As we join his family, friends, and well-wishers across the nation to mourn Oba Adetunji’s painful passing, we take comfort in the fact that throughout his impressive life, he devoted himself to the development of people across the nation.

“May Almighty Allah grant him a place amongst the righteous ones in Al Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.”

The late monarch, the Aje Ogungunniso I, was 93 years old.
Oba Adetunji was the first of 17 children of his parents and was born on August 26, 1928 and crowned the 41st Olubadan on March 4, 2017.