The people of Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State are mourning the death of their traditional ruler, Oba (Engr.) Jacob Babatunde Meduteni, the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara Land.
Oba Meduteni, who was 75, reportedly died peacefully in his palace in Iyara after a prolonged illness.
The late monarch ascended the throne in 2023 following his appointment by the Kogi State Government as the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara Land on July 24, 2023.
He was initially appointed as a third-class traditional ruler, but the Kogi State Executive Council subsequently upgraded the stool to second-class status on September 26, 2023.
His coronation and presentation of the staff of office were held on December 23, 2023, in a ceremony attended by prominent personalities, politicians and traditional rulers.
Before becoming a monarch, Oba Meduteni built a distinguished career in engineering and corporate management.
He attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and the University of Calabar, and later held several senior positions in the electricity sector.
His professional career included serving as Manager, Marketing, and Head of Customer Service in Kaduna before rising to become Chief Executive Officer of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and subsequently Chief Executive Officer of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
He retired from active corporate service in 2008.
After his retirement, Oba Meduteni focused on his private ventures, including Newday Engineering Company and Nowday Farms, while remaining actively involved in community development.
He also served for two terms, spanning six years, as National President of the Iyara Development Movement before his selection as the traditional ruler of the community.
His death has thrown Iyara into mourning, with residents and community stakeholders paying tribute to a monarch who brought his professional experience and passion for community development to traditional leadership.