Leadership reports that Alhaja Aminat Abiodun, the Iyalode of Ibadan land, Oyo State, is dead. She was widely renowned to be the most powerful woman in Ibadan land.
According to family sources at her family compound in Idi- Arere area of Ibadan and her Bodija residence, she died in the early hours of yesterday.
As Iyalode, she is the representative of women in the Olubadan-in-council, which has 11 members (the Olubadan as the head and 10 other high chiefs, including Iyalode). During her lifetime, she’s referred to as the Obabinrin (female king) of Ibadanland.
She wielded influence, wealth with power in her lifetime. The Iyalode, who was tall, beautiful and elegant was the ‘talk of the town women’ everywhere she went in Ibadanland.
She became the Iyalode of Ibadan following the demise of the former occupant, Chief Mrs Wuraola Akintola. Aminat Abiodun was announced in August, 2007 and installed on 19th October, 2007, as the Iyalode of Ibadanland.
She was the 13th in the history of the ancient town, rising through the ladder as Jagun Iyalode of Ibadanland, from 1971 to her present position, almost 36 years after she began her journey.
A strong and successful businesswoman, Abiodun has not only been prominent, she was still very active despite her age until her demise.
Just like some of her predecessors, especially the likes of Efunsetan Aniwura and Humuani Alaga, Alhaja Abiodun always took sides with the masses on issues affecting them during her lifetime.
Sources further hinted that she would be buried today in accordance with the Islamic rites.