Yoruba King of Ibadan Dies at 101

On Tuesday, the 40th king of Ibadan Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade died at 101 years old while he was surrounded by his wife and children, reports the Punch.

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Born in 1914, Oba Odulana attended correspondence college before working as a produce clerk and then settling in to a teaching position in 1938.

And while Oba Odulana would teach until 1942, by 1939, he would become a soldier and fight in World War II.

By the end of the war, Oba Odulana would receive a character award from the Army Fourth Brigade and ultimately be placed with the Colonial Office Education Department in 1946.

Oba Odulana wouldn’t stop his work with schools, though; during this time, he would help establish a number of primary and secondary schools in western Nigeria.

By 1959, Oba Odulana would enter politics by representing his people in the House of Representatives.

While he would later be named the Minister of State for Labor, Oba Odulana would begin his ascent to the throne after he was appointed Mogaji or Head of his Ladunni family in Oja-Igbo in 1972.

By 1976, Oba Odulana was appointed the Jagun of Ibadan land.

It would take 31 years for Oba Odulana to become king at the age of 93 in 2007, after his predecessor died.

As Olubadan, which means Lord of Ibadan, Oba Odulana was routinely consulted by the government on policy issues affecting the southwest of Nigeria and ruled over nearly 3 million subjects.

Ibadan is a Yoruba community located in the capital of southwestern Oyo state that was founded in the 16th century.

Even at 101, though, those close to Oba Odulana say he was healthy to the end. In fact, the Oba would reportedly pass away in his sleep.

Of his death, a high chief told the Punch, “The Olubadan is dead. He died peacefully in his sleep in his palace at Monatan and not in the hospital around 7.30 p.m. today [Tuesday] due to old age.

“You know he celebrated his 100th birthday in April 2014; he would have clocked 102 this year. The palace chiefs invited his son, Prof. Femi Lana, who in turn informed some high chiefs, including the Ashipa of Ibadanland, Chief Eddy Oyewole.”

On what it was like having Oba Odulana as a Father, Prince Gbade Lana said, “[He was] a good father…very, very stern.

“He preached humility… he taught us that once you are humble you will be able to achieve anything in life.”

On Twitter, the hashtag #Olubadan has been trending since his death:

While Oba Odulana’s remains have reportedly been taken to the mortuary, Chief Saliu Adetunji (pictured), the Balogun of Ibadanland, will reportedly succeed him.

Around 80 years old, High Chief Adetunji is a successful business man who founded and owns the nation’s top three music recording companies, Omo Aje Sound Studio, Adetunji Label, and Baba Laje Records.

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