Traditional leaders, Mogajis, monarchs, baales, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and sons and daughters of Ibadanland have expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oloye Lekan Alabi.
The stakeholders described his passing as a monumental loss to Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria, praising his lifelong contributions to journalism, public relations, history and the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade, the traditional leaders said Oloye Alabi’s death had created a significant void.
They described him as an accessible, professional and dedicated elder statesman whose wisdom and commitment to public service earned him widespread respect.
The statement extended condolences to his family, describing the late traditional chief as a renowned journalist, accomplished public relations practitioner, respected historian and custodian of Ibadan’s rich cultural heritage.
According to the statement, Oloye Alabi’s remarkable contributions to journalism, public relations, culture and historical documentation made him one of the most admired personalities in Oyo State.
The group also sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Nigerian media community and the people of Oyo State over what it described as the loss of a dependable traditional chief and patriotic Nigerian.
They prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljanah Firdaus and give his family, the people of Ibadanland and all those affected by his passing the strength to bear the loss.
Born on October 27, 1950, in Ibadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi received his early education at Seventh-Day Adventist Primary School, Oke-Foko, before attending African Church Grammar School, Apata-Ganga. He briefly worked as a teacher before beginning a distinguished journalism career.
He started at Onibonoje Press Limited as an editorial assistant before joining Sketch Publishing Company in 1973 as a reporter and writer. His bilingual reporting in English and Yoruba earned him recognition, and he later studied journalism in London.
Alabi also worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, between 1978 and 1982 before becoming one of the pioneer editorial staff of the Television Service of Oyo State, now BCOS. He was the station’s first reporter and the pioneer chairman of its Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) chapel.
During his career, he served as Chief Press Secretary to four governors of the old Oyo State, including the administration of the late Chief Bola Ige, before becoming the pioneer General Manager of Corporate Affairs at Odu’a Investment Company Limited.
Beyond journalism and public relations, Oloye Lekan Alabi remained a foremost advocate of Yoruba culture and history. As the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland and the first Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum and Monuments, Ile-Ife, he authored several books and published numerous works on history, leadership, culture and society, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
