The Olubadan in Council and the royal lineage in Ibadanland were in the early hours of Friday thrown into mourning mood, following the death of the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Dr Alimi Olufemi Olaifa.

A statement by a younger brother of the deceased, Justice Waheed Olaifa (retired), said Chief Olaifa died the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, at 11.00 p.m. during an illness, at the age of 75.

He will be buried today at his residence at Aba Alamu, Apata, Ibadan, at 12.00 p.m., according to Islamic rites

Olaifa, it was gathered, had complained of general body weakness on Thursday afternoon and was, at about 3.30 p.m., taken to the UCH where he was quickly attended to.

But shortly before midnight, he was said to have passed away. He clocked 75 in April.

The deceased, who was the third in rank to the Olubadan, was promoted from the rank of the Osi Balogun in May 2016. He trained as a veterinary doctor.

A source at the Olubadan palace said the palace was officially informed of the death of Olaifa on Friday afternoon by a delegation led by Justice Olaifa.

Meanwhile, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland and a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has described as shocking, the death of High Chief Olaifa.

Ladoja, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, said the deceased would be missed for his “lofty aspiration” for Ibadan.

He condoled with the family, the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the Olubadan-in-Council, while praying for the repose of the soul of the departed and fortitude for the family to bear the loss.

Chief Olaifa served the nation in several capacities during his lifetime. He was Special Adviser to former President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic and later appointed a minister. He was among the chiefs elevated by Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeogungunniso in May 2016, as part of his first assignment as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland in accordance with Ibadan chieftaincy law system.

He was promoted from Osi Balogun to Otun Balogun of Ibadanland.