Former senator Dr Mashood Olalekan Balogun crowned as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan

FORMER National Assembly member Dr Mashood Olalekan Balogun has been officially crowned as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland at Mapo Hall in the heart the Oyo State capital Ibadan.

Dr Balogun, the senator who represented Oyo Central Senatorial District between 1999 and 2003, was crowned this morning and handed his staff of office by Governor Seyi Makinde. This ceremony, which was preceded by other traditional rites coordinated by the religious priests, was attended by vice president Professor Yemi Osinbajo and one of his predecessors Alhaji Abubakar Atiku.

Other prominent Nigerians at the event included the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle. Also in attendance were the rector of the Ibadan Polytechnic Professor Kazeem Adebiyi and all the Ibadan high chiefs, mogajis, baales.

Oba Balogun succeeded Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, January 2 this year. Oba Balogun, a PhD degree holder, was a presidential aspirant during the aborted third republic.

He was also elected a senator on the platform of the Action Congress during the Fourth Republic. Oba Balogun's younger brother, Senator Kola Balogun, is currently the lawmaker representing the Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.