Owo community will today officially announce the passage of the Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi who joined his ancestors on Tuesday night.
Oba Olateru-Olagbegi Oba Olagbegi passed away last night at the age of 77.
One of the Elders at the palace told reporters that the palace would officially pronounce the death of Oba Folagbade.
The elder who spoke under the condition of anonymity said traditional burial rites had commenced for the departed traditional ruler.
He was installed as the traditional ruler of the ancient town in 2003 by the late governor Olusegun Agagu.
He was appointed Chancellor of the University of Benin in 2005 and later chancellor University of Abuja.
He is currently chancellor of the University of Jos and former chairman of the Ondo council of Obas.
He was married to Olori Ololade Olateru Olagbegi and the family was blessed with children and grandchildren.
Oba Folagbade was the eldest son of the late Olowo of Owo in Ondo State, Sir Olateru Olagbegi who ruled the ancient town between 1910–1998.
He was given the staff of office as the Olowo of Owo in December 11, 2003 by the late Olusegun Agagu, former governor of Ondo State after succeeding his father in 1999.
“Yes, the Monarch is dead but we cannot announce it for now. There are some traditions to follow.
“We are trying to inform the governor but I am aware he is currently out of the state for an official duty, but it is true Oba Olateru is dead,” he said.
He is the eldest son of the late Olowo of Owo, Sir Titus Olateru Olagbegi II. He received his first degree in law from London, UK and attended Nigeria Law school, in 1968.
He is married to Ololade Olateru-Olagbegi, a Barrister and law lecturer at the Ondo State University, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.
Folagbade obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law from London, UK. He later returned to Nigeria to practice Law under the late Fatai Williams.
He was a lecturer in the Nigerian Law School, where he retired as a reader in 1999 and now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
