As many people continue to mourn the departed Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, festivity is groing in the home of a politician, Chief Lekan Balogun.
In line with Ibadan’s hierarchical succession rite, Balogun as the Otun Olubadan, is expected to be crowned the new king.
At his residence at Alarere, near Iwo Road interchange Ibadan, community heads, family members and other well-wishers were seen in large numbers waiting to meet the incoming Olubadan.
Few of the visitors were, however, allowed to meet Balogun in his private room, while 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.
As many have acknoledged, Balogun, a PhD holder, is a study in self development.
After his primary education, although he was a student of CAC Modern School Anlugbaa, he read at home to write a qualifying test that enabled him to travel to UK, in search of greener pastures.
His academic pursuit was assisted by reading materials sent to his older brother, who was studying for GCE.
Having passed the test, he did not wait to complete his education at the CAC Modern School.
In the UK, Balogun sat for and passed the O-Level and A-level exams that gave him admission into Brunel University.
He left the university in 1973 with a Masters degree in Administration and Economics.
Post graduation, he worked with Lambeth Local Government Social Services Department for 18 months.
He also enrolled for the PhD.
In 1973, he returned to Nigeria and took up an appointment with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria at the Centre for Social and Economic Research.
He later took up an appointment with Shell British Petroleum Company where he retired as the Head of Recruitment.
Lekan Balogun joined politics in 1978, when he served as general secretary for Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party between 1978 and 1980.
He was also the party’s deputy national secretary between 1980- 1982.
He was governorship aspirant of the PDP in 2002-3, but lost the ticket to Rasheed Ladoja, who went on to beat AD’s incumbent, Lam Adesina. 2.
Balogun was a presidential aspirant on the platform of SDP in early 1990s. MKO Abiola won the contest.
He was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Fourth Republic in 1999 and held the office till 2003.
*IBADAN SUCCESSION HIERARCHY*
1) Lekan Balogun: Otun Olubadan.
2) Owolabi Olakulehin: Balogun Olubadan
3) Rashidi Ladoja: Osi Olubadan.
4). Olufemi Olaifa: Otun Balogun.
5) Eddy Oyewole: Ashipa Olubadan.
6) Tajudeen Ajibola: Osi Balogun.
7) Amidu Ajibade:Ekaarun Olubadan.
8) Lateef Gbadamosi: Ashipa Balogun Olubadan.
9) Kola Adegbola: Ekarun Balogun.
10) Abiodun Kola-Daisi: Ekerin Olubadan.
