Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi Dies at 83, Yoruba race, Oyo have lost a great ruler_ Makinde

The Aláàfin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (III) joined his ancestors in the early hours of Saturday.

The 83-year-old first-class traditional ruler, reigned over the ancient Oyo kingdom for 52 years, from October 15, 1938.

Going by tradition, the Basorun of Oyo, Yusuf Ayoola, who is the head of the influential Oyo privy council, the Oyomesi, will be the stand-in ruler over the kingdom, pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.

With the death of the Alaafin, Oyo State has lost three of its most prominent kings in the last four months; the first being the death of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi on December 12, 2021, then the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on January 2, 2022.

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, declared that the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, is a huge loss to the state, Nigeria, and the Yoruba race.

The governor, who described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, noted that he was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that Kabiyesi’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.

The statement indicated that the governor expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom, and the entire Yoruba race, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed monarch.

The governor stated that apart from Oyo State losing its last man standing in the rank of experienced monarchs with long years of royal leadership, it has also lost a royal institution and an authority, which Alaafin Olayiwola Adeyemi III had become by virtue of his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics and national development.

Makinde said: “I have been informed about the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

“I express heartfelt condolences to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which Oba Adeyemi chaired for decades, the Oyomesi and the entire people of Oyo Kingdom.

“I equally commiserate with the Oloris, children and entire Adeyemi family on the demise of their patriarch and worthy father.

“Kabiyesi’s departure is a huge loss not only to Oyo State, to which he committed 52 years of his life as the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, but also to Nigeria and the entire Yoruba race.

“Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership.

“He became a golden king, an institution and an authority rolled into one by virtue of his immense experience, wisdom and understanding of Yoruba history, royalty, and politics.

“Oba Adeyemi not only elevated the Alaafin throne with his knowledge and wisdom, he became a worthy exemplar for royal leadership in Africa and brought glory to Oyo State and Nigeria. Kabiyesi never spared anything in his strive to make Oyo State greater and to bring about the Nigeria of everyone’s collective dream.

“Personally, Kabiyesi’s death is a great loss to me, because he proved to be a worthy father and had been ever so supportive of our government.

“His words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.

“It is my prayer that God accepts Kabiyesi’s soul into Aljanah Firdaus and upholds everyone and everything he left behind.

“Good night, Iku Baba Yeye!”