‘We cherish your towering example of service,’ Akin John-Brown pays tribute to Saka Balogun at 90

Yinka ADETUNJI

Dr Akin Oladeji-Johnbrown, FCA, DFS (Oxon) has paid heartfelt tribute to Dr. Saka Balogun, who today (July 22), joined the club of nonagenarians, hailing the Balogun of Ogbomosoland’s “towering example of service.”

Dr. John-Brown made this disclosure in a statement titled, “High Chief Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun at 90 – A pillar of Ogbomoso development,” which he personally signed and made available to ogbomosoinsightonline.com.

“Dr. Balogun’s life is a reminder that true greatness is not found in title and money alone, but in the lives touched along the way. Baba has touched many lives. Whether through his scholarly pursuits or his tireless political advocacy for the development of Ogbomoso, nay Oyo State, he has consistently exemplified integrity and wisdom. We thank you, Baba, for your years of mentorship and for the towering example of service you have provided to all.

John-Brown noted that Chief Balogun is one of the few in a community whose lives guide and inspire others recalling he first knew the new nonagenarian when he was a teenager through late Chief Agboola Adibi (a community leader and political icon).

“In every community, there are individuals whose very presence serve as a compass—guiding, correcting, and inspiring. For the people of Ogbomosoland, Baba Saka Adegbite Balogun has been that steady personality for my generation. I knew Baba Balogun when I was in my teens in late Baba Agboola Adibi political family.”

He added, “As we mark his 90th birthday today, we reflect on a man whose influence spans the corridors of academia, at the University of Ilorin, the complexities of Nigeria political landscape and the heart of our community traditions. As the Balogun of Ogbomosoland, he has stood as a guardian of our heritage, always championing peace, progress, and the unity of our community.