The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, has been awarded the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic with the approval of the departing President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
According to The PUNCH, Senator Kola Balogun of the Oyo South Senatorial District requested in a letter dated May 19, 2023, that the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume, present and recommend Olubadan for the CFR Award to the departing government headed by Buhari.
The first-class traditional ruler was among those recognised for the 2023 Special National Honour Award, as stated by the government. He is one of the 23 people who will get the CFR, the third-highest distinction in the nation.
The senator described the Olubadan, who is also his older brother, and said that he was deserving of the CFR honour. The senator’s career trajectory as the top traditional leader was outlined, along with details about his background, including his birth, schooling, employment history, and political activity, among other things.
The senator pleaded with Akume to nominate and present the king for the CFR national award, writing, “His (the monarch’s) political career began in 1978 when he joined the late Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party, where he eventually attained the post of deputy national secretary.
In the Social Democratic Party, he stood for president, and subsequently, the Nigerian People’s Party nominated him to run for governor of Oyo State.
His political ambitions were put on hold for 16 years by the military incursions, but he returned to politics in 1999 and won the prestigious senatorial seat for Oyo Central Senatorial District in the fourth Senate. He served as the Senate Committee on National Planning’s chairman from 1999 to 2003. He was also a member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, Defence, and Army.
“As the monarch progressed in the political sphere, he also climbed in the traditional Ibadanland chieftaincy hierarchy, reaching the rank of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, one of the two most senior chiefs in Ibadanland. This occurred before his inauguration to the esteemed Olubadan of Ibadanland throne on March 11, 2022.
The Kano State Government has named the oba as the Chancellor of the Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education in Kumbotso, Kano.
“Kabiyesi, Oba Balogun Aliiwo is a renowned technocrat, author, scholar, astute and a rare breed politician, businessman, and philanthropist.” Finally, Senator Balogun said.
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