7th February, 2016
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Sundy described the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, as a man who lived a meaningful life worthy of emulation in all spheres.
Governor Ajimobi who was represented by his Deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, stated this at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Aremo, Ibadan, during the Service of Songs organised in honour of the late monarch as part of the one-week burial activities lined up for him.
The monarch joined his forefathers on January 19, 2016 at 101 years after spending nine years on the throne.
Speaking, the governor in his tribute said, “Everybody knows that His Royal Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Odulana, lived a meaningful life and he had contributed immensely to the development, not only of Ibadan land, but the whole of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. Everybody should emulate him. Based on what people have said about him here, even though most of us here were not born when the testimonies given about him took place, we should all emulate him because one day, everybody would die, whether you are a governor, a deputy governor or whatever. So, let us live our lives as if we are going to die the next day,” the governor said.
Earlier, the Provost of the Cathedral, Venerable Adewale Adebiyi, who drew his sermon from Luke 12: 16-22, charged people to open their hearts to Christ as everyone would be called to account for his deeds anytime he dies.
Also, Senior Chief of Ibadanland, Emiola Adesina, described the deceased as “an honest, selfless, brave person; lover of his fellow men, a devour Christian and a disciplinarian.”
Another Senior Chief, Lateef Oyelade spoke of Oba Odulana’s sterling qualities worthy of emulation.
He disclosed that when he crossed from the Seriki Line to the Olubadan Line, he had to give certain amount of money to all the existing chiefs, but that the deceased who was then a senior chief declined collecting his.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were: Reverend Segun Okubadejo, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, High Chief Lekan Balogun, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Dr. Lekan Are, and Ambassador Olu Sanu.