Abisoye Fagade mourns late Olubadan, says he was everything Ibadanland needed at his time
Abisoye Fagade, an Ibadan-born businessman and Founder of Oyo-Si-Maa-Dun (OSMD) Foundation, has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Ogugunnuso 1) as everything Ibadanland needed at his time.
“Oba Adetunji, 93, passed away in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, January 2, 2022) at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan,” a statement by Adeola Oloko, Director of Media and Publicity at the Olubadan’s Palace says.
Born in August 1928, Oba Adetunji was crowned 41st Olubadan in March 2016, and reigned for about six years.
The late monarch who was a fashion designer in Lagos before delving into music marketing in the 1960s, founded Baba Laje Records, one of the leading music marketing and promotion companies in Nigeria in the 1960s to 1980s. It was on the back of the record label that K1 De Ultimate and many other fuji music stars came into the limelight.
In a statement sent to Neusroom, Fagade, the CEO of Sodium Brand Solutions and a Governorship aspirant in Oyo State, said the late first class monarch was a unique father and amiable personality who lived a fulfilled life.
which was contained in a statement issued lamented the passage of Oba Saliu Adetunji who, according to him, would be sorely missed by not only the people of Ibadanland but also the whole of Yoruba race.
“Oba Adetunji was everything Ibadanland needed at his time. He epitomised humility, wisdom and passion which endeared him to all and sundry. PopoYemoja, his family Palace in Ibadan, got enlivened with royalty and finesse immediately he mounted the throne in 2016 and the entire Ibadanland was better for it,” Fagade says in the statement issued by his media aide, Comrade Kehinde Idowu.
“During the reign of Oba Adetunji, an average Ibadan son and daughter had access to Kabiyesi who was a father to all. He was always there for us as he would not turn down the invitation to grace occasions personally in order to encourage and honour his subjects. This was in addition to his readiness to assist everyone in special ways like a true father he was.”
The statement added: “It is on record that Oba Adetunji was a successful entrepreneur who traversed the business world like a colossus despite all odds. He was one of the pioneer pillars of the entertainment industry in West Africa as he was able to promote many budding talents who later became a legend in the musical world. Another fantastic thing about him was that he never compromised the education of his children and this yielded the desired results as he could boast of many graduates and fine academics.
“Therefore, we shall be right to submit that Oba Adetunji lived a fulfilled life and died an icon of royalty, fatherhood and leadership. We also use this medium to commiserate with the entire Alusekere Family of PopoYemoja, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes as well as all sons and daughters of Ibadanland on the demise of our revered monarch as we pray God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.”
A Palace statement said Oba Adetunji is survived by his wife, Olori Rashidat Ololade Adetunji, Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He has been buried at 4.00 pm today at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan Palace according to Muslim rites.
