The Olakulehin Royal Family has officially announced the burial date and funeral programme for the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 after a brief illness at his Ibadan residence.
In a statement signed by his first son, Olasunmbo Olakulehin, the family disclosed that the monarch will be laid to rest on Friday, August 8, 2025, with a state burial approved by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. The final rites will include a church service and interment at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The family also announced a series of commemorative events leading up to the funeral, many of which had been earlier postponed due to the official 21-day mourning period.
The activities will begin on Sunday, August 3, 2025, with the semi-finals of the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Bishop Philips Academy Stadium, Ibadan.
According to the schedule: On Monday, August 4, the preliminaries of the Olakulehin Table Tennis Tournament will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Indoor Hall of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.
On Tuesday, August 5, the third-place match of the Olubadan Olakulehin Football Cup will hold at 2:00 p.m., followed by the final at 4:00 p.m., both at Olubadan Stadium.
The finals of the Table Tennis Tournament are set for Wednesday, August 6, at the same Adamasingba venue, wrapping up the sporting events initially planned to celebrate the monarch’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary.
On Thursday, August 7, an interfaith lying-in-state ceremony will be held at Mapo Hall by 10:00 a.m., followed by a Christian wake service at the Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, at 3:00 p.m.
The farewell activities will conclude with a family thanksgiving service on Sunday, August 10, at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, at 10:00 a.m.
The royal family extended heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, traditional rulers, clerics, political and business leaders, corporate bodies, Ibadan groups, professional associations, residents and well-wishers across Nigeria for their solidarity and comforting messages during the period of mourning.
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