Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, has described the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, as saddening and painful.
The traditional rulers said that with Oba Adetunji and Oyewumi’s deaths, the Yoruba race and, indeed, Nigeria, had lost charismatic and strong custodians of our tradition and culture, whose contributions remained unparalleled in stabilising the country.
The council, in a statement by its Chairman and the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Gabriel Adejuwon, applauded the late Olubadan and Soun for showing strong commitments to the country’s stability and the unity of Yoruba nation through their conducts and utterances.
Oba Adejuwon added that the Yoruba people, particularly Ibadan and Ogbomoso people of Oyo State, would never forget the contributions of these highly charismatic and industrious monarchs to the development of the Southwest and Nigeria at large.
“We are saddened by the demise of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade lll,” the Onisan of Isan said. “But we are particularly happy that the departed monarchs were iconic in the preservation of Yoruba customs and tradition. They were stabilisers and unifiers with uncommon passion for development of the Yoruba nation.
“Oba Adetunji served humanity in most outstanding fashion. He used his youthful life promoting youth and their talents by his contributions to the development of the music industry, where many musical aces rose to stardom through his Midas’ touches and tutelage.
“While Oba Oyewumi was one monarch that rose above pedestrian sentiments in all spheres of life. He was never caught in the web of politics. He saw unity as a focus and worked towards it. That is why his legacy would be difficult to surpass and forget in Ogbomoso, and Oyo State in general.
“We sympathise with the people of Oyo State, and Yorubaland over the deaths of these outstanding monarchs. We also condole with the Government of Oyo State under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde for losing in quick succession such highly placed, priceless and supportive traditional rulers, whose vacancies will be difficult to fill.
“We pray for the repose of their souls in the bosom of Allah and wish Ibadan and Ogbomoso people well even as we pray for Allah’s guidance in their quests to fill the vacant stools left by the departed royal fathers”.
