Balogun is the seventh in traditional hierarchy of Ogbomoso
Femi OGUNLANA
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The announcement of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun, a revered community leader of longstanding service and politician, as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland, has ignited interest in the significance of the position. The last Balogun High Chief Fasina passed away in February 2022 and the position has remained vacant. The installation of Dr Saka Balogun expectedly to take place later in the year will fill the void.
The traditional chieftaincy of Balogun is an important one in the Yoruba socio-traditional milieu. It’s a war chieftaincy and in time past it’s held by war commanders though in Ogbomoso the Areago and Jagun are superior in rank being the Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Commander respectively.
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The government of Ogbomoso before the incursion of the British colonialists and after the defeat of colonialism has the traditional ruler, the Soun, as the head. The Oba as the head of the town is the appointing and consenting authority to all chieftaincy positions. He is also the head of the Ilus (or cabinet chiefs), the highest traditional organ.
There are seven Ilu Chiefs who assist the king while the first six constitute the kingmakers (afobajes). In order of hierarchy they are the Areago, Jagun, Bara, Ikolaba, Abese, Balogun and the Iyalode.
If seated in the palace that sitting order is strictly adhered to. With the Soun mounted on the stool, to his right the Ilu Chiefs sit starting from the Areago. To the left Obas.and Baales under his suzerainty also take their place.
Congratulations to the Balogun-elect of Ogbomosoland.
