Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the passing of the traditional ruler of Akinale town, Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oba (Dr.) Olufemi Okesooto Iyanda Adewunmi Ogunleye, Towulade 1, a shocking and great loss to the entire Owu land, Ogun State and the country in general.

The disclosure came, even as the Owu Traditional Council formally announced the demise of the late erudite journalist and public relations guru on Thursday 20th June 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Oba Ogunleye died yesterday, Wednesday, 19th June, in the United Kingdom after a brief illness at age 79. He's expected to clock 80 in September 2024.

Obasanjo, while reacting to the demise of Oba Ogunleye through a by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the news of Oba Ogunleye was shocking, having informed him about his travelling some weeks back in high spirits.

The former President who is in South Africa for the second term inauguration ceremony of President Ramaphosa said the people of Owu, Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole would miss him for his resourcefulness and promotion of cultural heritage of his homestead.

The Owu Traditional Council, in a statement by the Oganla Owu, Chief Johnson Olu Fatoki, formally announced the passage of Oba Ogunleye, declaring that the Council had missed one of the erudite monarchs in the Owu Kingdom.

He described Oba Ogunleye as "a peace-loving, a progressive and bridge builder."

Late Oba Ogunleye is survived by his wife, Olori Olanike Ogunleye, children and grandchildren, among whom is Mr. Bamidele Ogunleye of the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), Abeokuta.

Burial arrangements to be announced by the family.