The mournful call of the bugle floated over the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Ibadan on Thursday, mingling with the steady, rhythmic thud of boots on parade ground soil. In a solemn fusion of tradition and military honour, the Nigerian Army and the people of Ibadan gathered to bid farewell to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Akinloye Iyanda Owolabi Olakulehin, the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Though his reign lasted less than a year, the late monarch left an enduring imprint on Ibadan’s traditional council and its people. Before ascending the throne in July 2024, following the passing of Oba Lekan Balogun, Oba Olakulehin had lived a life steeped in discipline, service, and quiet achievement — first as a decorated officer in the Nigerian Army, and later as a respected elder statesman.
Born on 5 July 1935 in Ibadan, his journey began in the classrooms of Church Missionary Society School, Islamic School, and Saint Paul’s School in Yemetu. He pursued technical studies at Yaba College of Technology, showing early signs of a mind drawn to building — whether it was physical infrastructure or the intangible bonds of community.
Commissioned into the Nigerian Army in July 1970, Oba Olakulehin served in the Corps of Engineers during a transformative period in Nigeria’s history. He rose through the ranks with distinction, holding pivotal roles such as Troops Commander of 2 Field Engineer Regiment, Officer Commanding 2 Engineer Construction Regiment, and Commanding Officer of both 31 and 34 Maintenance Regiments. His work often took place far from public view, but its impact was far-reaching, shaping the Army’s engineering capabilities and contributing to national rebuilding in the post-civil war era.
After nearly a decade of service, he voluntarily retired on 1 October 1979 as a Major. Yet his retirement from military life did not signal an end to service. Instead, he channelled his leadership into business, civic engagement, and the traditional hierarchy of Ibadan. Decades later, the discipline of a soldier and the wisdom of age would converge in his ascension to the Olubadan throne.
Thursday’s funeral captured both halves of his life. The Nigerian Army accorded him a full military burial — a rare honour for a traditional ruler — with soldiers in crisp formation, rifles raised in salute, and a national flag draped over his coffin. The ceremonial precision of the armed forces blended seamlessly with the rituals of Ibadan’s royalty, underscoring the unique life he led.
Governor Seyi Makinde, leading a procession of dignitaries that included royal fathers, senior military officers, and community leaders, described the late monarch as “a bridge between the values of discipline and the spirit of communal leadership.” His words drew nods from those who knew the Olubadan as a man who could command respect both in the barracks and in the palace courtyard.
Major General Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, paid tribute to the monarch’s unwavering principles. “The late Olubadan embodied the Nigerian Army’s highest ideals — loyalty, courage, and selfless service — and carried those ideals into his reign,” he said.
As the final salute echoed across the cemetery and the coffin was lowered into the earth, it was clear that Oba Olakulehin’s legacy straddled two worlds. To the Army, he was a capable and loyal officer whose engineering skill strengthened the nation’s defences. To Ibadan, he was a leader who upheld tradition while carrying the quiet authority of a soldier who had seen and served beyond his homeland.
In the memories of many, he will remain the soldier-king — a man who built bridges in peace as deftly as he once built fortifications in times of need, leaving behind a legacy of service, unity, and unshakable dignity.
