….Makinde Mourns
In accordance with Islamic rites, the late Alaafin of Oyo has been buried in Baara, Oyo State.
Baara is not just the final resting place of all the Alaafins; but it is also a place where the Alaafin goes to commune with his ancestors for guidance and directions.
It was further gathered that one of the respected Oyo Princes, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, together with the sons of the departed traditional ruler, have been holding meetings behind closed doors over the burial plans.
It was learnt the meeting began upon the arrival of the first son of the foremost traditional ruler, Babatunde Adeyemi.
Oba Adeyemi died in the late hours of Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital after a brief illness.
The death of Alaafin came months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, who died on January 2; and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who joined his ancestors in December 2021.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the death of Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as a huge loss to the state, Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.
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.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, 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 repose the soul of the departed monarch.
The governor stated that apart from Oyo State losing its last man standing in the ranks of experienced monarchs with long years of royal leadership, it had also lost a royal institution and an authority, which Adeyemi had become by through his 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 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.”
