Finally, Soun set date for installation of Dr Saka Balogun, others as chiefs

Image caption: Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun

Finally, Soun set date for installation of Dr Saka Balogun, others as chiefs

Khalid ABRAHAM

At last, an auspicious date has been set for the installation of Dr Saka Adegbite Balogun as the Balogun of Ogbomosoland.

This was confirmed in an address delivered by Hon Olusegun Odebunmi at a press conference held Friday at the palace of Ogbomoso to herald the 2025 Cradles Carnival.

Though names of the prospective chiefs were not unveiled, it is believed Dr Balogun’s conferment would be one of those that would be witnessed that day.

According to Hon Odebunmi, chairman of the planning committee of the 2nd edition of the carnival, the installation would hold second day of the five-day carnival on Friday, December 19.

He highlighted both traditional and honorary chieftaincy titles would be conferred starting 10:00 a.m. at the palace, to be followed by Jumaat prayers and Oole Festival.

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Dr Balogun is a personality of high standing in Ogbomoso, very much respected and who has made his mark in politics. He is currently chairman of Elders Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Oyo state.

The Balogun chieftaincy is a title he had sought for long having come from the Balogun Gbebi lineage of the Balogun chieftaincy family.

He informed recently he had aspired to the position since the reign of the immediate past Soun His Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr) Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III JP CON CFR but unsuccessfully. Following the demise of the last occupier of the position he made his intention known again and so, on December 19, his dream is set to be realised courtesy of approval by His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the reigning Soun of Ogbomosoland.

Dr Balogun has fulfilled one of the major requirements for his installation which is the construction of the ancient Oja’gbo (market).

Oba Olaoye has set a new standard and obligation for prospective chieftaincy title holders in the city, traditional or honorary, which is execution of a community development project to be named by him. His justification is that rather than a new chief spending millions of naira on entertainment after chieftaincy conferment if part of the money is committed to providing infrastructures it would be more productive for the community as a whole.

The Balogun of Ogbomosoland is a cabinet (Ilu) chief and is one of the six kingmakers (afobajes). The afobajes in order of rank are Areago, Jagun, Bara, Ikolaba, Abese and Balogun. The seventh Ilu chief who however is not a member of the kingmakers is Iyalode.

Meanwhile, the position of Bara is also vacant as the last Bara recently passed away.