The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, as an exemplary patriot and a nationalist, who changed the history of the ancient Ibadan city through his numerous contributions.
The remains of the late Olubadan will be interred at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Aremo, on Friday (today).
In his honour, the Oyo State Market Leaders Advisory Council has given a directive that all markets in Ibadan should be closed for the day.
The council is the umbrella body of all traders’ associations operating in the state, including the Oyo State Market Men and Women Association, Ibadan Joint Traders’ Association, Food Canteen Workers’ Union, Association of Tradesmen and Artisans and Nigeria Youth Traders’ Action Council.
The Acting President of the council, Alhaja Mopelade Iyadunni, said the closure of the markets in the city was in honour of the late monarch.
She called on the traders to join the state government, the family of the late king, the Olubadan-in-Council, as well as indigenes and residents of Ibadan in celebrating the revered king.
At the lying-in-state of the Olubadan at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, the governor said the late monarch served the nation with dignity in all the positions that he was privileged to occupy in his lifetime.
The ceremony was attended by the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo; the eldest son of the late monarch, Prof. Femi Lana; members of the Olubadan-in-Council, notable Ibadan indigenes and invited guests.
The lying-in-state was part of a week-long activities organised by the state government in conjunction with the family of the late monarch to celebrate the life of the 40th Olubadan of Ibadanland, who died on January 19, 2016 at the age of 101.
Ajimobi said, “Kabiyesi wore so many caps to the admiration of all and sundry during his lifetime. He walked through many paths and survived many challenges. Over and across time, Kabiyesi was a teacher, a soldier, an administrator, an educationist, a politician and a statesman, and indeed, a titled chief who rose to become the king of Ibadanland.”
The governor recalled that the late king was decorated with the Exemplary Character Award of the Fourth Brigade, after serving the Nigerian Army at the Second World War. He also made his contribution to the establishment of a university in Ibadan.
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