Mammoth crowd as Olubadan is laid to rest

The late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has been buried.

The corpse was returned to the palace at about 4:35pm from Mapo Hall where a lying in state and prayer held.

His remains were received by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere.

THE GRAVE

He was accompanied by top Islamic leaders.

Also present were top government functionaries led by Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan.

His burial on Sunday witnessed the presence of a mammoth crowd and sympathisers who thronged Mapo hall and the Popoyemoja Palace of the traditional ruler.

Ninety-three-year-old Oba Adetunji, who ascended the throne in March 2016, died early hours of Sunday at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Olubadan’s death brought to four, the numbers of prominent Yoruba traditional rulers that had joined their ancestors in the last three weeks.

This is as 95-year-old Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, died on December 12; the Asigangan of Iganganland in Oyo State, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adewuyi Aribiyan II, also died on December 21.

The Gbiri Of Epinmi Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Ade Oyekan, also joined his ancestors on December 27 at 60.

The late Oba Adetunji was the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, following his coronation on March 4, 2016.