The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the late Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, as a patriotic elder statesman, who built bridges of unity in Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.

The national leadership of the students body mourned the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan Land. The students body spoke through the Clerk of the Senate, NANS Headquarters, Senator Comrade Oladimeji Uthman in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital when he led a national delegation to pay condolences to the family of the late Olubadan who also doubled as the Chairman, Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council.

Few days ago, we received with grief, the passing of a man of extraordinary kindness, an economist, a public and social administrator per excellence and unwavering commitment for his great thought for better and united Nigeria. Òba Lekan Balogun who was until his death the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The student leader called on the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the Oyo State Governor, Governor Seyi Makinde to speedily implement an immortalization plan for the late Olubadan, who he described as a seasoned administrator, educationist and community builder.

He noted that the late king remained a massive signpost in the history of Nigeria, thus making his demise a national loss.

He was courageous and an unrelenting advocator of peace and unity. His voice for the oppressed in the society will be missed and his wise counsel will be sorely missed at this time of our dear country.”

Our condolences go to the Oyo State government, Oyo State Traditional Council, the Olubadan-in-Council, the family of the deceased and the entire people of Ibadanland and Oyo state at large, Oladimeji stated.