Tributes have continued to pour in following the death of the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland and veteran journalist, public relations icon, and cultural ambassador, Oloye Lekan Alabi, with Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Oyo State Chapter, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, describing his passing as a monumental loss.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Head of Branding and Communication, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Victor Ayetoro, described Alabi as a visionary whose professionalism and strategic insight laid the foundation for the company’s corporate communications and public affairs practice.
Ayetoro noted that Alabi, who served as the pioneer Public Affairs Manager of Odu’a Investment Company Limited before rising to become General Manager, Corporate Affairs, left behind an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the organisation’s communications team.
According to him, Alabi was a distinguished public relations practitioner, motivational speaker, author and custodian of Yoruba culture whose humility, wisdom and commitment to excellence earned him admiration across generations.
He also recalled the late icon’s impeccable dress sense, saying his elegant traditional attire and dignified appearance always commanded respect and reflected the rich Yoruba cultural heritage.
On behalf of the management and staff of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Ayetoro commiserated with the Alabi family and prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss while asking that the deceased’s legacy should continue to inspire future generations.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Goke Adelakun, described Alabi’s demise as a huge loss to the public relations profession in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on behalf of the executive and members of the chapter, Adelakun said the news came as a rude shock, especially at a time when Nigeria was preparing to host the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later this year.
He highlighted Alabi’s remarkable contributions to journalism and public relations, recalling his service at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Sketch Publishing Company Limited, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, and as Chief Press Secretary to four successive governors of Oyo State.
Adelakun also acknowledged the late public relations guru’s immense contributions to the growth and development of the NIPR, Oyo State Chapter, describing him as a consummate professional who upheld excellence, value addition and ethical practice throughout his lifetime.
He prayed for Allah to grant the late Abese Olubadan Al-Jannah Firdaus and extended condolences to the Alabi family, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the NIPR family and admirers of the deceased across the country.
Also mourning the respected elder statesman, the Aaregbẹmọ Balogun of Ibadanland and African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, described Alabi as “an encyclopedia” whose death had created a vacuum in Ibadanland.
Adegoke said the late traditional chief possessed exceptional knowledge of Ibadan’s history, customs, traditions and politics, adding that his wealth of knowledge would be difficult to replace.
He urged the Olubadan-in-Council to collaborate with the Alabi family to preserve the late icon’s books, manuscripts, writings and cultural collections for the benefit of future generations.
The ADC governorship candidate said preserving Alabi’s intellectual and cultural heritage would ensure that generations yet unborn continue to learn from the life and contributions of one of Ibadan’s finest historians and public relations practitioners.
