IBADAN BOOK CLUB MOURNS OBA SALIU AKANMU
ADETUNJI, SET TO PUBLISH AN ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS AND ESSAYS IN HIS HONOUR
The Executive Council and
Members of Ibadan Book Club have expressed sadness over the death of Oba Saliu
Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1.
The monarch joined his
ancestors on Sunday, January 2, 2022.
Ibadan Book Club in a
statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by the Coordinator and Secretary of the
Club, Ayobami Odunyemi and Mary Ndukwo described Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji’s
death as a monumental loss to not only the Ibadan people, but the whole of Oyo
State, Yorubaland and the entire country.
“We want to convey our sorrow
and condolences for the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu
Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1. He was a hero, and one who led by example at all
times. Incredibly sad news to learn of the death of our King, Oba Saliu Akanmu
Adetunji, Aje Ogunguniso 1. He was a loving and devoted husband and father as
well as a loyal servant to the crown” the Statement said.
“Ibadanland will profoundly
miss his unwavering service and dignified presence. The way he served
Ibadanland made us all so proud and we are devastated he is gone. Rest in
peace, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji. He earned it after years of unfailing
service. He did his best and served with distinction and selflessness. The
country owes Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji a huge debt of gratitude and it will
miss his calm presence. Our most heartfelt condolences for a tragic loss” the
statement added.
In a bid to honour and
immortalize the late exemplary monarch, Ibadan Book Club (IBC) is ready to
publish an anthology of poems and essays chronicling the times and life of the
deceased, to be written by his fans, admirers, well wishers, followers and
interested Ibadan citizens. The proposed anthology will be published in an
electronic format and made public free of charge.
Ibadan Book Club finally urged
Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji’s’s family to take solace in the belief that the late
monarch has gone away from all earthly troubles to rest for eternity in God’s
bosom.”
Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje
Ogunguniso 1, (26 August 1928 – 2 January 2022) was a Nigerian monarch who sat
as the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan following his coronation on 4 March 2016.
Saliu was born as the first of
17 children of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji on 26 August 1928 in
Ibadan, Oyo State. He grew up learning vocational jobs until he took up fashion
designing as a means of living after moving into Lagos. While working as a
fashion designer, Saliu delved into musical record marketing until in 1960 when
he founded his first of three record label imprints called Baba Laje Records
which housed notable fuji music acts including Dauda Epo-Akara, Wasiu Ayinde
Marshall and KS1- Malaika.
Prior to his coronation as the
Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadan land. He died in
Ibadan on 2 January 2022, at the age of 93.
