The Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, has passed away.
The revered traditional ruler died on Wednesday following a brief illness.
He was one of the high chiefs in Ibadan who were promoted to the status of Oba.
The late Oba Adebimpe recently represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin, at the unveiling of the new palace of the Olubadan at Oke Aremo in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.
This event marked his last public appearance. Notably, he was absent at the coronation ceremony of Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, which took place at Mapo Hall on July 12.
Details surrounding his death remain sketchy at the time of this report.
Oba Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe came from a lineage of royalty; his father, Oba Gbadamosi Akanbi Adebimpe, was the 35th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The elder Oba Adebimpe was crowned on December 10, 1976, and reigned for 18 months before passing away on July 17, 1977, at the age of 85.
In other news, eminent Ibadan indigenes, including high-ranking traditional titleholders, are intensifying efforts to persuade the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, to accept a beaded crown as a monarch instead of continuing to be recognized merely as a High Chief.
This move aims to de-escalate the ongoing tension surrounding the issue of succession and chieftaincy titles in Ibadan.
This renewed pressure follows the precedent set by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who had presented crowns to some members of the Olubadan Advisory Council.
High Chief Ladoja had notably declined this offer, maintaining that the only crown acceptable to him is that of the Olubadan of Ibadanland.