Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, expressed deep shock and profound sadness upon hearing the news of the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Olalekan Balogun.

The former President said this through a statement signed by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday.

The monarch, who is the 42nd Olubadan died days after marking his second coronation anniversary.

Obasanjo, who is attending the 11th Global Baku Forum, stressed that the late monarch left enviable qualities, which clearly stood him out, “including an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership.”

His statement further reads, ”His enviable qualities clearly stood him out as he left behind an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good. He demonstrated that politics was an avenue not for mindless enrichment but for rendering faithful service.”

Obasanjo further noted that the late Olubadan’s contributions to the political, social and economic life of Ibadan, Oyo State, Western Region and, indeed, Nigeria will remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who had interacted with him in politics and social-economic life.

“A decent and amiable gentleman, he commanded the respect and admiration of his peers and associates. Like most great leaders, he was all things to all men. To his family, he was a tower of strength and a committed provider; to his community of Ibadan, he was an early model in national leadership; to his Yoruba kinsmen, he was a worthy Ambassador of all things noble about them; and to the rest of Nigeria, he was a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self-actualisation.”

Obasanjo also condoled with the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the family of the deceased and Oyo indigenes in general, urging them to “take solace in the worthy legacy and his mark on the history of this country he left behind. In fact, we ought to give gratitude to God for his worthy life“