Oyo NOA Director Mourns the Passing of Olubadan, Oba Olakuleyin: “A Symbol of Grace and a Lesson on the Brevity of Life”
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State Directorate, has joined other sympathisers in mourning the demise of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin, who passed on barely a year after ascending the throne.
In a solemn press statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Monday, the Oyo State Director of NOA, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, described the monarch’s transition as not only a painful loss to Ibadanland but also a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
According to Mrs. Akande, the late Olubadan was a monarch who, despite his short reign, embodied the values of dignity, wisdom, and a deep connection to his people. She noted that his reign, though brief, left a strong impression of peace and tradition, which should serve as a guiding light for future generations.
“We, at the National Orientation Agency, are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin. His short but impactful reign reminds us of the brevity of life and the need to live meaningfully,” she stated.
Reflecting on the monarch’s journey, Mrs. Akande noted that Oba Olakuleyin ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, and recently marked his 90th birthday—a testament to a life of endurance, legacy, and dedicated service to his people.
She urged members of the public, especially leaders and traditional rulers, to emulate the virtues of the late monarch by striving to leave lasting legacies and positive memories in the minds of those they serve. “Let us all live our lives in a way that our footprints will remain visible in the sands of time,” she advised.
The NOA Director, on behalf of the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, extended heartfelt condolences to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde; the Olubadan-in-Council; the immediate family of the late monarch; and the entire people of Ibadanland, both at home and in the diaspora.
She prayed for the peaceful repose of Oba Olakuleyin’s soul and for strength and comfort to all who are grieving the great loss. “May His Imperial Majesty’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” she concluded.
The late Olubadan is remembered not only as a traditional ruler but as a symbol of cultural heritage and a unifying Reframed Headline:
Oyo NOA Director Mourns the Passing of Olubadan, Oba Olakuleyin: “A Symbol of Grace and a Lesson on the Brevity of Life”
—
Ibadan, Oyo State – July 7, 2025
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State Directorate, has joined other sympathisers in mourning the demise of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin, who passed on barely a year after ascending the throne.
In a solemn press statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Monday, the Oyo State Director of NOA, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, described the monarch’s transition as not only a painful loss to Ibadanland but also a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
According to Mrs. Akande, the late Olubadan was a monarch who, despite his short reign, embodied the values of dignity, wisdom, and a deep connection to his people. She noted that his reign, though brief, left a strong impression of peace and tradition, which should serve as a guiding light for future generations.
“We, at the National Orientation Agency, are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin. His short but impactful reign reminds us of the brevity of life and the need to live meaningfully,” she stated.
Reflecting on the monarch’s journey, Mrs. Akande noted that Oba Olakuleyin ascended the throne on July 12, 2024, and recently marked his 90th birthday—a testament to a life of endurance, legacy, and dedicated service to his people.
She urged members of the public, especially leaders and traditional rulers, to emulate the virtues of the late monarch by striving to leave lasting legacies and positive memories in the minds of those they serve. “Let us all live our lives in a way that our footprints will remain visible in the sands of time,” she advised.
The NOA Director, on behalf of the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, extended heartfelt condolences to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde; the Olubadan-in-Council; the immediate family of the late monarch; and the entire people of Ibadanland, both at home and in the diaspora.
She prayed for the peaceful repose of Oba Olakuleyin’s soul and for strength and comfort to all who are grieving the great loss. “May His Imperial Majesty’s gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” she concluded.
The late Olubadan is remembered not only as a traditional ruler but as a symbol of cultural heritage and a unifying fat