President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, the Royal Family, the Olubadan-in-council and the people of Ibadan on the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
In a message, the President affirmed that the late Paramount Ruler was a visionary and compassionate leader, who used the spheres of his influence as a respected traditional ruler and a lover of the creative industry to advance the progress of his people, encouraging and motivating them to give their best in their vocation and to the nation.
He urged the people of Ibadan and Nigerians from different walks of life to honour the eternal memory of the deceased by imbibing the virtues he cherished so much: generosity, peace, tolerance and devotion to unity.
Also, All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adetunji Saliu, Aje Ogungunniso I, describing it as a big loss for the state and Yoruba race.
Tinubu described the late Oba Adetunji whom he said he had a personal relationship with as “humble, humane, mature, calm and decent, always a symbol of unruffled dignity.”
In a condolence message released by his Media Office and signed by Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “I received the news of the transition of highly-referred royal father, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adetunji Saliu, Aje Ogungunniso I, with sadness. Kabiyesi passed on at a ripe age of 93, which we are extremely grateful to God for. But this demise has robbed us of his wisdom and wise counseling. He never withheld his deep insights and rich perspectives from those who sought his guidance.
“Particularly coming shortly after the death of another top ranking traditional ruler in Yorubaland and precisely in Oyo State, this passing truly rankles. The late Olubadan was a sage. He was humble, humane, mature, calm and decent, always a symbol of unruffled dignity.
“Before he mounted the throne, Oba Adetunji had made his name as a successful businessman and music and entertainment promoter who contributed a lot to uplift the careers of many top musicians in the land, thus contributing his quota to the growth of our country’s economy.
“On the throne, the late Olubadan worked assiduously for peace and stability of not only Ibadanland, Oyo State and Yorubaland, but also the entire country. He superintended over the ancient city with even-handedness.
“I had a close personal relationship with Kabiyesi and I will deeply miss him. My condolences to his family, particularly the Oloris, Mogajis and the princes. May God Almighty comfort them”, Tinubu said.
In his own condolence message, Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, described the demise of the first class traditional ruler which came on the heels of the passage of Soun of Ogbomoso, as another colossal loss to Yorubaland, noting that Olubadan’s death had left a deep void that would be difficult to fill.
Osun governor described the late monarch as a respected royal father, exemplary and compassionate leader who showed strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan within the short period of his reign.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Osun, I commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, government and people of Oyo State over the transition of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso. I also condole the royal family, Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.
“The late Oba Saliu Akanmu was a respected royal father, exemplary and compassionate leader who demonstrated strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan within the short period of his reign. He will be remembered for his fatherly roles and wise counsel,” he said.
The Emir of Ilorin and chairman Kwara state council of chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has also commiserated with the people of Ibadan over the demise of the Olubadan, noting that the deceased was known for his patience and commitments to the growth and development of Ibadanland and Oyo state in general since his enthronement to the royal lineage of Olubadan-In-Council and much later when he became the paramount ruler of the ancient city of Ibadan in 2017.
