Suleiman Shehu (Ibadan)/David Adeoye (Oyo)/Akeem Abas (Oyo) Oyo State
Ibadan, April 23, 2022
The remains of the late Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, will be interred by 4.00 p.m, Saturday, in accordance with Islamic injunction.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent gathered that the late Alaafin was a devout Muslim till he joined his ancestors.
According to a reliable source, the monarch will be buried in Baara.
“Baara is not just the final resting place of all the Alaafins.
“It is also a place where the Alaafin goes to whenever there is need to commune with his ancestors to seek guidance and or directions,” the source told NAN.
However, one of the respected Oyo Princes, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, together with sons of the departed traditional ruler, have been holding meetings behind closed doors discussing the burial plans.
NAN also gathered that the meetings began upon the arrival of Babatunde Adeyemi, the first son of the foremost Oba.
Ladigbolu, who the source said had been busy making necessary contacts on the burial plans, could not pick calls made to his cellphone, nor reply to messages in respect of the burial plans.
There was uneasy calm at the palace, as many people were seen around the palace in mournful moods over the passage of their frontline traditional ruler.
They were unwilling to discuss the passage of the traditional ruler, claiming that there was no official announcement yet on it.
According to a reliable source, many leaders in the town are still in shock about the whole thing, as they are still patiently waiting for further details about it.
Earlier, Mr Bode Durojaiye, the Media Aide to the Alaafin, confirmed the reports to NAN.
In a telephone interview with NAN, Durojaiye simply said, “Won ti ku” (He is dead).
According to him, “it is true, the Alaafin has joined his ancestors. We are there now.”
Adeyemi was said to have joined his ancestors on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where he had gone for routine medical checkup.
NAN reports that within the last five months, Oyo State has lost three prominent traditional rulers.
The Soun of Ogbomosoland, late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who died in December, 2021; the late Oba Saliu Adetunji, the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, died on Jan. 2 and now the Alaafin of Oyo.
The first class Oba, who reigned for 52 years, departed at the age of 83.
NAN gathered that the remains of Alaafin were brought to Oyo on Saturday morning to commence the necessary traditional rites on his passage.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday described the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as “a huge loss to the state, Nigeria and the Yoruba race.”
Makinde, while describing Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, said that he was “an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater”.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, said, “Kabiyesi’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful”.
Makinde 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.
The governor, however, prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed traditional ruler.
According to Makinde, 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.
He 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.”
According to him, 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 !”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first class traditional ruler died on Friday night at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
NAN reports that hundreds of residents of Oyo Town have continued to throng the ancient palace to mourn the monarch.
Commenting, Mr Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin’s Media Aide, expressed shock over the demise of the highly reverred traditional ruler.
Durojaiye described Oba Adeyemi as a great traditional ruler, who had contributed immensely to the development of Oyo Town, Oyo State and Nigeria.
He said that the traditional ruler was a custodian of Yoruba culture and history, and “he is loved by his people” .
Durojaiye said that before the late Oba Adeyemi ascended the throne, Oyo Town was “not as developed as it is today” .
According to him, Alaafin is a great traditional ruler, who all other traditional rulers are very proud of.
“He was a great custodian of Yoruba culture and history.
“He was a philanthropist. He has transformed Oyo Town and the palace from what he met on ascending the throne. We have lost a great promoter of Yoruba culture,” Durojaiye said.
Also, Paula Gomez, the Alaafin’s Cultural Ambassador, described the late traditional ruler as “a great man and mentor,” adding that he was a father to everybody.
“I don’t know what happened. I spoke to Baba last week and he was fine. Maybe his death is natural.
“I worked with Alaafin on preservation of heritage and culture. He was a father to everybody. He was a great man and mentor,” she said.
Some palace workers in separate interviews with NAN, said that the traditional ruler already had premonition of his death few weeks back.
“Two weeks ago, he called and told us that his late father was calling him to come. We were afraid and asked if truly he saw his father.
“We are happy to have had him as the Alaafin. He ascended the throne at a young age, preserved the stool, promoted the Yoruba culture and was an epitome of royalty,” they told NAN.
