Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Wednesday expressed sadness over the news of the passing on of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said the late Olubadan was a great and courageous monarch who fought valiantly to preserve the dignity of the Ibadan traditional stool and by extension the nation's traditional institution.

He described the late traditional ruler as a highly accomplished parliamentarian, frontline politician and a statesman who was a member of the Federal House of Representatives in the First Republic and remained till his death a role model for current members of the parliament at state and federal levels.

The late Olubadan, the Senate President stated, was a personality who became an inspiration to the entire Yoruba nation in particular and the country in general.

Saraki said: "Looking at the life and times of the late Olubadan, I cannot but hold my breath considering his achievements. This was a man who started as a Clerk, became a Teacher, Soldier, Politician, Educationist, Parliamentarian, Philanthropist and first class traditional ruler in a span of about 100 years. I will simply say he lived a worthy and exemplary life. His was a true life story of grass to grace. This I believe would remain a great source of inspiration to all of us and the upcoming generation."

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the nation's traditional institutions, the government and people of Oyo State and the entire Yorubaland; and prayed God to grant the soul of the late monarch sweet repose.

He urged the family of the late Monarch and all those in grief over the death to take solace in the fact that the late Olubadan lived life to the full and made positive impact on all those who met or were close to him during his life time.