Life and Times of Late Olubadan Owolabi Olakulehin

Oba Okakulehin bows out 

Ọba Akinloyè Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin died early Monday, according to palace sources. He was the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadan land.

NigeriaPointBlank brings you his journey through life in brief.

Birth and Ancestry.                               The late monarch was born into the family of Pa Ishola Okin Owolabi and Madam Adunola Aweni Opo Owolabi of Okugbaja Village, Ita Baale in Ibadan North East Local Government Area on the 5th of July, 1935.

His paternal ancestral family house the is at Ita Baale Olugbodi while his maternal ancestral homestead is Ile Kusidi in Elekuro, Ibadan.

Education.                                           Young  Akinloyè attended three primary schools namely:

1. St. James Primary School, Oke Akanran
2. Islamic School, Odoiye, and
3. St. Peter Primary School, Akanran

Ọba Olakulehin attended Yaba Technical Institute where he studied Printing and Artworks. He later obtained his Ordinary National Diploma, (OND) and Higher National Diploma, (HND) in Building Technology from the premier polytechnic, Yaba College of Technology.

Career: Teacher; Civil Servant; Soldier; Businessman; Politician and Traditional Ruler.                                        The late monarch worked as a pupil teacher on completion of his primary education before continuing his education .                     

In 1959, he was employed as a Third Class Clerk in the Civil Services of Western Region Government of Nigeria. 

Ọba Olakulehin earned a Direct Short Service Commission as a Second Lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps in 1970. He served under General Olusegun Obasanjo and later commanded several units. He disengaged from the Army on October 1st 1979 in the rank of Army Major.

The illustrious son of Ibadan then ventured into business with FAKOL Bakery, FAKOL Nigeria Limited and Olakulehin Press. He was highly successful in business.

Kabiesi contested and won a seat in the Federal House of Representatives under the banner of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1992. He represented Ibadan South East Federal Constituency. He was the chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria Army in the shirt lived 3rd House of Representatives.

Journey to the Throne                                Ibadan's unique ascendancy arrangement under the old order meant any aspirant to the throne would start from the Magaji or extended family head title and climbed the ladder till he got to the throne. Ọba Olakulehin became Mogaji of Ige Olakulehin family in 1983. He ascended the throne in July, 2024 after the denise of his predecessor.

His contributions to national development and that if Ibadan in particular extend beyond his short reign as Olubadan. It should be noted moreover, that Ibadan experienced relative peace in the one year he was on the saddle.

Kabiyesi Oba Akinloyè Olalere Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige-Olakulehin l, adieu.