The late Alhaja Aminat Abiodun,12th Iyalode of Ibadanland was installed in 1995 and would have celebrated her 94th birthday on 24th of this month.
Late Alhaja Abiodun joined Iyalode of Ibadan female chieftaincy line in 1971 as Jagun and rose on the line to mount the seat that had earlier been occupied by the likes of Efunsetan Aniwura (1867 to 1874), Humuani Alade (1985-1995) and Wuraola Akintola (1975-1985).
Her Oluwo-Kekere, Basorun, Ibadan residence had since become a ‘Mecca’ of sort with the early callers including the Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, who led government delegation, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State for the 2019 general election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).
Ajimobi in his remark described the death of Iyalode as passage of a titan and a colossus in Ibadanland, saying she epitomised elegance, and nobility. He noted that she rose through the ranks and consequently became the Queen of Ibadanland.
The governor said, “she was really blessed. She was a great loss. But we take solace in the fact that she lived a fulfilled life. As one of her sons, I will miss her. Ibadan will forever miss her. She is irreplaceable.”
The late Iyalode, as gathered, was a silent ‘political calculator’ and one of the most powerful ‘political kingmakers’ in Oyo State. She was said to be a no nonsense woman, who commanded a lot of respect from all and sundry based on her outstanding success in business and for her spiritual prowess.
It was gathered that the Iyalode breathed her last at the time many governorship candidates in Oyo State were making efforts to have her on their sides ahead of the general election next year because she was said to have combined wealth with power.
It has been confirmed that she would be buried on Sunday at 4.00pm according to Islamic rights.
What a great lost!