Oba Odulana was pride of Nigeria –Buhari

■ As Ibadan stands still for late monarch

FROM OLUSEYE OJO, IBADAN

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Friday described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, as a pride of Nigeria.

Speaking during the funeral service held for the late monarch at the Cathedral of St. Peters’, Aremo, Ibadan, Buhari said the great legacies left behind by Oba Odulana transcended Ibadan and Oyo State. The ceremony led to traffic snarl in many parts of Ibadan.

Buhari, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, noted that Oba Odulana achieved an incredible height and set a good example for Nigerian politicians by win- ning elections five times as an independent candidate, based on merit.

His words: “We must be truly

grateful to Almighty God that a man of such substance and great- ness walked amongst us. He was a man of greatness and the great things he did during his lifetime – five times elected on his merit as an independent candidate, no (political) party; that’s an incred- ible thing indeed.

“He lived a life without blem- ish, a life of honesty and forth- rightness, and we can celebrate him as he died at the age of 101. It is easy enough, maybe to live 70 years and not make any mis- take, but he lived for 101 years and we can still say good things about him.

“I wish the good people of Ibadan, just as we celebrate the life of our Baba that the future will be greater for the people of Ibadan, that the future will be greater for the people of Oyo State and that we will have more to celebrate and enjoy prosperity and abundance in Nigeria.”

The Oyo State governor,Abio- la Ajimobi, earlier in his address, described the late monarch as an educationist, soldier, administra- tor and statesman of note, saying: “Between 1950 and 1966, Kabi- yesi was involved in the politics of nation building; Kabiyesi won a record five different                  elections as an independent candidate, clearly on account of his own rec- ognition, popularity and personal merit; as elected representative of Ibadan District Council, under the late Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu. He served as chair and coordina- tor of six different committees.

“It is this imperial legacy that we celebrate. Indeed, the cel- ebration of such noble virtues strengthen nations and empower the future generations to fully manifest their glorious destinies.”

In his sermon, the Archbishop of Ibadan Province of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Com- munion), Most Revd Segun

Okubadejo, stated that physical death is unavoidable for mankind but the second death – eternal death, can be avoided through faith in Jesus Christ and avoid- ance of unfaithfulness, hatred, greed, bribery and corruption.

He urged President Buhari to publish the names of looters of the country’s treasury in order to put them to public shame.

“Some people live in this world as if they will not die. The manner by which many Nige- rians accumulate wealth in this country shows that they did not give thoughts to the first death, let alone second death.”

The service was attended by people from all walks of life, including Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) as well as Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu.

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