The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunniso 1), died in the early hours of Sunday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State. He was 93.
One of the doctors, who confirmed this, said the nonagenarian died of old age-related disease.
The hospital has released the remains of the traditional ruler to his family members for burial according to Islamic rites later on Sunday.
Oba Adetunji ascended the throne as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan on March 4, 2016.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State expressed shock at the passing on of the Olubadan whom he described as an exemplar in royalty.
Makinde said in a statement in Ibadan by Mr Taiwo Adisa, his Chief Press Secretary, that the demise of the royal icon was painful, despite his old age.
He added that the wisdom and wealth of experience of the late first class traditional ruler 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.
He said Oba Adetunji gave his all to ensure that Ibadan 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 and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.
“I extend my condolences to 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,’’ Makinde was quoted as having said.
The Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, also mourned the passing of the Olubadan.
Oke described the late traditional ruler as a passionate and visionary leader who lived a well-spent life.
“He had a humble beginning and rose to the pinnacle of his career and became very successful.
“He was a very good man with a large heart and compassion; we pray to God to forgive him; be with his immediate family and the entire Ibadan land. The death of Kabiyesi is indeed a great loss to us all,’’ he said.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Bishop Wale Oke, extolled the virtues of the Olubadan.
Ogunwusi, in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, on Sunday in Ile-Ife, described the late Oba Saliu as a great traditional ruler.
The Ooni said that the reign of the late Olubadan would, forever, be remembered for the tremendous development he brought to Ibadanland, in particular and Nigeria at large.
“Kabiyesi Olubadan did not let the features of old age hold him back during his lifetime as he was active to projects, programmes, plans and other activities tofward making life better for his subjects.
“That is why his return home would be missed greatly by all.
“Though, it is a tough way to start the year, we must submit to the will of the Almighty Olodumare for the life of Oba Adetunji, which was well spent serving humanity.
“Our thoughts and prayers in the House of Oduduwa are with natives as well as residents of THEM, ancient city of Ibadan and the entire Oduduwa race globally at this material time.” the traditional ruler said.
In a related development, Oke, who is also the President, The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, described Oba Adetunji, as a peace loving the traditional ruler, whose reign would always be remembered for good.
Oke, while commiserating with the people of the ancient city of Ibadanland, Oyo State Government and the nation as a whole, said that the traditional ruler would be greatly missed for his quality contributions to humanity.
“Late Oba Adetunji was a great monarch who loved his people and worked relentlessly for the upliftment of his community, the state and the nation as a whole. His demise, no doubt,is a great loss to all,” he said.
The cleric, who is also the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said that the era of the late Oba ushered in progress, stability and peace to Ibadanland, its environs, the state and the country.
He said that the legacy of the good works of the late Oba Adetunji must not be allowed to die in whatever form, adding that his legacies and good memories must be kept alive for the generations to come.
Oke prayed that God should continue to uphold the family, the ancient town, Oyo State and the country in general.
The Bishop prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of the traditional ruler to the cold hands of death.
Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the demise of the Olubadan as a huge loss to the nation.
Kalu, while acknowledging the noble roles played by the late monarch in promoting peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in Ibadanland, stressed that Oba Adetunji lived a purposeful life dedicated to the service of humanity.
In his condolence message, Kalu, who is Ashipa Seriki Mayegun of Ibadanland, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Ibadanland.
He said: “The demise of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, is a big loss to the nation.
“The late monarch was a rallying point for the people of Ibadanland.
“He contributed to nation building in various capacities.
“The late traditional ruler lived a fulfilled life and left behind good legacies for his loved ones to sustain”.
The Ashipa Seriki Mayegun of Ibadanland prayed to Allah to make Al- Jannah Firdaus the final abode for the late monarch and give the people of Ibadanland the fortitude to bear the loss.
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, described the death of Oba Adetunji as a huge loss, even as he said the demise of the first class monarch had robbed Nigeria and the entire Yoruba land of a mature and peaceful monarch.
Aare Gani Adams, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, expressed shock at the news, saying the late Oba Adetunji was mostly loved by sons and daughters of Ibadanland, having the most peaceful reign in Ibadan in recent times.
“I feel bad at the news of Kabiesi’s death, however, I am happy he died a hero. The late Oba Adetunji, in his life, brought immense development to Ibadanland.He was very mature, pleasant and peaceful”
“The late Olubadan was never controversial. He was among the prominent Obas that graced my installation ceremony as the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland in Oyo, in January 2018″,
” And he had a robust relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, throughout his reign”.
“Kabiesi’s mature and peaceful life was in display throughout his reign and it was evident that Ibadanland had peaceful and great moment in history during his reign.
“Very pleasant, the late Oba Saliu Adetunji was a brave man with distinct records of successes. Kabiesi’s five years reign was a milestone and we can hardly forget his immense contributions to the ancient town of Ibadan as well as the traditional institutions”
With Kabiesi’s death, Yorubaland has lost a peaceful monarch and symbol of humility. We have also lost one of our respected monarchs and a pillar of hope for our race.
“Olubadan’s death had also robbed us of a true ambassador, whose maturity and wealth of experience is next to none.
“Kabiesi died at a deservedly old age, and his strength of character was very noticeable. His imprints in Ibadan and the entire southwest was remarkable”.
Iba Adams, however, prayed for the repose of the monarchs soul, stressing that Ibadan and the entire southwest will sorely missed the monarch’s forthrightness, strong voice and exemplary character.
“Olubadan’s death, though, shocking brought to four, the numbers of prominent Yoruba monarchs that had joined their ancestors in the last three weeks.
Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, on Sunday in Ibadan expressed his condolence at the passing on of the Olubadan.
Ogundoyin described the passage of the Oba as shocking and unbelievable.
“Just within the space of one month, Oyo State lost three highly-revered Obas to the cold hands of death. This is really shocking and unbelievable.
“First it was the Soun Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi (Ajagungbade III) the second was the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Lasisi Olawuyi Adeoyo and now the Olubadan of Ibadan.
“I commiserate with the good people of Ibadan and Oyo Sate in general on this sad incident in the New Year.
“We have lost another highly successful businessman and a good father to us all. Our government has lost another very good friend and adviser.
“My heartfelt sympathies to the Oyo State Traditional Council of Obas and particularly to the Olubadan-in-Council for this great loss,’’ he said.
Ogundoyin stated that late Oba Adetunji was a principled and morally upright traditional ruler whose fatherly advice would be missed.
“The reign of the late Olubadan had been relatively peaceful.
“I pray for the repose of the soul of the Olubadan and for Allah to grant him the best abode in Al-Jannah Firdaous,’’ he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Ngozi Onadeko, on Sunday, commiserated with the entire Olubadan dynasty and Oyo State over the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Onadeko said the revered first class traditional ruler would be particularly missed for his active participation and support in ridding Ibadan and the state at large off criminal elements.
She said that his contribution was a major factor that underscored the present enviable status of sustained relative tranquility in the state.
The Commissioner assured the general public that the command had emplaced proactive and adequate security measures had been to guide the funeral process for the monarch.
“The measures include adequate deployments round evey nook and cranny of the state that will be characterised by visible policing, convoy patrols in concert with relevant sister security agencies, surveillance and intelligence-led stop-and-search duties,” she said.
Onadeko implored all and sundry to be law abiding and to go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation or harassment from anyone.
She called on parents, religious leaders and traditional rulers to warn their wards and proteges against acts that could lead to the breach of the peace.
She said that such violators if caught would be sanctioned.
