By VICTOR ADEOTI

The Owa of Igbajo in Osun, Oba Ademola Makinde, has said he is alive, hale and hearty, describing his rumoured death as unfortunate and misleading.

This is contained in a statement by the Traditional Secretary of the Royal Court of Igbajo, Gbonjubola Olorunnisola, on Tuesday in Osogbo.

Olorunnisola said that the misleading information has caused many well meaning Nigerians to inundate the palace with phone calls, while others thronged the palace to ask after the traditional ruler.

He said that the case between the incumbent Owa of Igbajo and the late Adegboyega Famodun, a former All Progressives Congress chieftain in the state, whom the media referred to as Owa of Igbajo, is still pending before the court.

Olorunnisola said that while Oba Makinde and the entire palace were saddened by the death of Famodun, it was right to correct the wrong impression in the media.

“To put the record straight, there is an impending case at the Appellate Court in Akure, where the substantive appeal against the judgment of the High Court in Ile Ife was filed,” he stated.

According to him, a stay of execution has been filed at the High Court in Ile-Ife which has not been heard.

“This, however, makes the status quo remain. Both parties to the appeal were in court on November 13, and the case was subsequently adjourned to January, 2026.

“The palace of Owa Igbajo and the whole community mourn the demise of Prince Philip Adegboyega Famodun, an illustrious son of Igbajo land.

“The palace, however, wishes to express that the incumbent Owa of Igbajo land, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Ademola Stephen Kayode Makinde Onigemo I, is very much alive and hale.

“The palace wishes to correct the confusing story that has flooded social media—including print and electronic media—that the Owa of Igbajo land has passed.

“This misleading information has caused many well meaning Nigerians to inundate the palace with phone calls, while others have thronged to the palace from far and near to ask after His Royal Majesty.

“The palace, however, expressed sadness that Igbajo land has lost an irreplaceable son, Prince Philip Adegboyega Famodun, who has worked tirelessly to place an indelible mark among his political associates and the Igbajo community.

“We commiserate with the Gbeleru Royal House, the immediate family of Prince Philip Adegboyega Famodun, and the Igbajo community as a whole, and pray that the Lord gives everyone the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gbeleru Royal Family of Igbajo on Sunday announced Famodun’s death.

The announcement was made by his son, David Famodun, on behalf of the family, in a statement.

According to the statement, Famodun died on Nov. 28 after a brief illness at the age of 67.

The late Famodun, who was installed as the Owa of Igbajo by former Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, was removed in 2022 by Gov. Ademola Adeleke.

On March 12, 2024, the state government approved the appointment of Ademola Makinde as the new Owa of Igbajo, replacing the late Famodun.

The case is, however, pending before the court. (NAN)