The remain of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has been laid to rest at the ancient town of Oyo, in Oyo State.
Retired Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu had confirmed to the press that the deceased has been buried.
Prior to the burial, both traditional and Muslim rites were performed on the corpse.
Islamic clerics led by the Chief Imam of Oyo town were joined by members of the family of the late foremost monarch and some of his chiefs to offer prayers for the repose of his soul.
After the prayer, his body was taken back to where into the palace for it to be later released to some youth, who equally carried the body round the palace before taken it inside, where other rites were equally performed.
After all these rites, he was interred.
Eminent Nigerians have been thronging Alaafin’s palace to condole with the family.
Mourning the monarch, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Alaafin was significant for human development, adding that he encouraged learning as a culture and formal education and promoted values of peace and stability.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the Government and people of Oyo State over the passing of Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, 83, whose reign covered major historic transitions in the country, and witnessed transformations in his domain.
“The President affirms that the Alaafin of Oyo’s 52 years of rule was remarkable in many ways, most significant was the emphasis he placed on human development, thereby encouraging learning as a culture and formal education as a necessity while promoting values of peace and stability.
“As a highly revered traditional ruler, President Buhari notes the late monarch’s numerous participations in national meetings and conferences to shape the future of the country, and the living words of wisdom he shared at every opportunity on unity and people-focused governance.
“As a highly revered traditional ruler, President Buhari notes the late monarch’s numerous participations in national meetings and conferences to shape the future of the country, and the living words of wisdom he shared at every opportunity on unity and people-focused governance.
Confirming the death of the monarch, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde described the demise of the monarch as a great loss to Yoruba race and Nigeria in general.
Makinde noted that the monarch was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater, adding that his words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.
According to Makinde in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Taiwo Adisa, 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.
“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.
Also the national leader of All Progressive Congress (APC) and a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming presidential election schedule to hold next year, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu said that he was deeply saddened by the transition of Oba Adeyemi.
According to him, after ascending to the royal throne at the age of 31, Alaafin became one of the most influential, greatly respected traditional rulers in Yorubaland, Nigeria and indeed Africa and beyond.
He said that Alaafin fostered harmony and brought prosperity and development to the ancient Oyo Kingdom and he was loved by his people.
In a statement Tinubu personally signed, the nation’s astute politician said, “Wisely ruling on the throne for 52 years, he became the longest reigning Alaafin that ever ruled Oyo Kingdom. With his transition, a big Iroko has fallen.
“His passing was an auspicious era in the ancient Oyo Kingdom, but also for the Yoruba and the entirety of the black race.
“An elder-statesman and patriot, Alaafin Adeyemi was bold and courageous. He spoke truth to power. His interventions in national affairs helped the nation navigate difficult moments and helped usher a more just society.
“He played vital roles in the struggle for democracy, working assiduously towards the establishment of our democracy.
“In recognition of his important contributions to peace, religious harmony and stability in Nigeria, the nation gifted him the high honour of Commander of the Federal Republic.
“Alaafin was also a strong pillar of the arts, culture and tradition. Kabiyesi took upon himself the task of promoting Nigerian arts and culture for which he received many ambassadorial awards in Nigeria and beyond.
“I had an abiding personal relationship with Alaafin whom I deeply respected. Mentor, leader and father figure, I visited Kabiyesi in February his palace in Oyo to seek his prayers and blessings which he graciously gave, little did I know it was the last time we would see each other face to face.
“I commiserate with his wonderful and loving family, particularly his wives and children. I commiserate with the Oyomesi, the chiefs and the people of Oyo kingdom. My condolences also to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State, and indeed the entire nation over the demise of this eminent traditional ruler. The black race has lost a titan who will be sorely missed.
“I pray that his family, Oyo Kingdom, the Yoruba race and indeed all Nigerians find consolation and strength in that we must now dedicate ourselves to live up to the ideals for which Alaafin stood. May the soul of Alaafin Adeyemi rest in perfect peace.”
In a statement signed Otunba Moses Olafare, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, described the passage of Alaafin as a loss to the entire Oduduwa race worldwide.
Oba Ogunwusi, who doubles as the Natural Head of Oduduwa race worldwide stated that the late Alaafin was a worthy elder ,whose entire lifetime was dedicated to the promotion of the prestigious Yoruba culture and advancement of humanity.
The statement reads:
“We have lost a great icon, a great monarch who saw Oyo through civilization and modern development without jettisoning the cultural sacredness of the throne first occupied by Alaafin Oranmiyan The Great.
“Ile Oodua Palace and the Ooni had a great working relationship with the late Alaafin who gave his best in resolving major conflicts in Yoruba land and uniting all sons and daughters of Oduduwa globally among other landmark achievements.
“The late Alaafin is one of the privileged elders who contributed to the growth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also saw the country through military and democratic eras with unquantifiable positive inputs.
Oba Ogunwusi, the Co Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) recalled his last encounter with the late Oyo monarch early last month when they both held a closed door meeting of peace and reconciliation with some frontline politicians of Yoruba origin at Ibadan where Alaafin made a promise to make his first visit to the Ooni before middle of this year.
Ooni prayed for the soul of the departed monarch, as well as the family to have the fortitude to bear his death and prayed the Oyo will be spiritually guided to complete the burial of the monarch in full accordance of culture and traditions of their ancestors.
“While the demise of Oba Adeyemi would be greatly missed for his indelible imprint as a great descendant of Oduduwa, the Ooni hereby urges the entire House of Oduduwa worldwide to continue to pray for the deceased’s family and Oyo indigenes at this trying time. May the Almighty Olodumare also be with the OYOMESI at this critical time that may challenge the culture and traditions of their ancestors in the process of burial rites and process of selecting the next Alaafin. The position of Alaafin is too culturally important to be handled in a way that undermines our collective traditions and culture. Olodumare shall solidly stand with the OYOMESI and the entire Oyo kingdom”, The statement noted.
Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, in his tribute describing late Oba Adeyemi’s death as the end of a remarkable and glorious era.
In a statement personally signed by the Olubadan, he expressed shock at the news of the death of the Oyo monarch.
Oba Balogun recalled that the last time the two met was at his ‘Balogun’s’ coronation/installation in March, in Ibadan.
Olubadan described the late Alaafin as a royal father par excellence, who projected Yoruba culture and civilization with awe and dignity, noting that with his exit, ’’Yoruba has lost a rare gem.’’
The statement reads: “A highly scholarly, pragmatic and dynamic monarch with undiluted love for his race and people, Alaafin would be sorely missed by humanity for his contributions which would continue to speak for him eternally.
“Together with the late Alaafin, we have been friends for a very long time. So, his death is a personal loss to me and very painful too that he won’t be around now that I have become Olubadan to share from his rich experience.
“Death is an inevitable end of mankind and it will come at Allah’s appointed time for every individual. We take solace in the good works the Almighty Allah used the late Alaafin to do for humanity and the good name being left behind.
“I commiserate with the government and people of Oyo State, the Oyoland and the immediate and extended families of our highly revered Alaafin with supplication to the Almighty Allah to accept him to His kingdom and grant all the fortitude to bear the loss,” the Olubadan added.
Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in a letter of condolence to Governor Makinde and made available to the press described the late monarch as a symbol of the nation’s struggle in self discovery and self-actualisation.
The letter reads:
It read that “He (the late Alaafin) stood out as a voice of forthrightness in national affairs and he was as a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding not only among the diverse people who live in his domain but also across the country.
“He is well acknowledged that it was during his reign that Oyo town got transformed to the modern city that it has become today and not surprisingly, his contribution to nation-building was also acknowledged in the conferment of the esteemed national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic on him and other honorary degrees that he received from some Nigerian and outside educational institutions.
“Like most great leaders, Alaafin was all things to all people. To his family, he was a tower of strength and a committed provider; to his community of Oyo land, he was an early model in national leadership; to his Yoruba kinsmen, he was a worthy Ambassador; and to the rest of Nigeria, he was a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self discovery and self actualisation.
“Although Oba Adeyemi’s passage is like a dream, especially as he left us at a crucial state in our nation’s history when his wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed, I would urge you and all the members of his immediate and extended family to take solace in the worthy legacy and his mark on the history of this country he left behind. In fact, we ought to give gratitude to God for his worthy life.
“May God grant his family, the good people of Oyo land and the entire Oyo State the grace to bear the heavy loss of his death. May the soul of the dear departed rest in perfect peace.”
Describing him as the passage of a key traditional icon in Yorubaland, Senator Kola Balogun representing Oyo South senatorial district, noted that the news of his passage shocking and devastating.
In a release by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Dapo Falade, Senator Balogun said, with the demise of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the entire Yoruba Nation has lost a big personae in its rich culture and tradition.
The statement reads:
“The news of the passage of our referred traditional ruler, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, was as shocking as it was devastating.
“It was shocking and devastating, not because kabiyesi was too young to die, but because, with his passage, we have lost five traditional rulers in the state within the last five months.
“Between last December and today, we have witnessed the demise of five traditional rulers in Oyo State. It started with the late Soun of Ogbomoso and was consecutively followed by the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, the late Asigangan of Igangan, the late Onikoyi of Ikoyi and now the Alaafin of Oyo.
“The passage of kabiyesi, Alaafin of Oyo, signalled the gradual but steady erosion of Yoruba culture and tradition. The late kabiyesi was an iconic traditional ruler who upheld and promoted our rich cultural heritage to the last.
“The late Oba Adeyemi III was an epitome of our tradition. He was a beacon of hope in an era when we are almost losing our values. Indeed, he was a bridge to our rich past. His passage is, indeed, one of the greatest royal losses in recent history of Oyo State.
“But what can we do than to give glory to God for a fulfilling life that was well lived? It is appointed unto every mortal to live but once and thereafter change mortality for immortality.
“On behalf of myself, my wife, Mrs Gbonjubola Kola-Balogun and the entire people of Oyo South Senatorial District, I want to commiserate with the immediate family of our highly revered late kabiyesi over the irreparable loss.
“I also commiserate with members of the traditional institution and people of Oyo Kingdom, the government and the entire people of Oyo State. May God grant our kabiyesi a peaceful rest,” Senator Kola Balogun stated in the statement.
Also, the House of Representatives Member from Oluyole Federal Constituency, Rep Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, has paid glowing tribute to the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed on yesterday evening.
Akande-Sadipe, in her tribute made available to newsmen today, described the late Monarch as one of the most revered royal fathers, who had a vast knowledge of Yoruba culture and history.
She said the Monarch, who was the longest reigning Alaafin of Oyo, has paid his dues and impacted lives, within and outside his kingdom.
“Kabiyesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was one of the most revered Royal Fathers in Africa and the longest-reigning Alaafin of Oyo, whose life and time was very impactful”, she said.
She described the news of his demise as a rude shock, adding that she is eternally grateful that she was one of the privileged ones to have witnessed his reign.
“I appreciate your wise counsel, as our Royal Father, Kabiyesi”, she said.
She noted that the late monarch contributed meaningfully to the socio-cultural development and economical growth of Oyo State.
The Rep member, who Chairs Diaspora Affairs committee at the green chambers further commiserated with her colleague, Rep. Akeem Adeyemi, the Oloris, other princes and princesses, the entire Oyo palace and Oyomesi, Sons and Daughters of the ancient Oyo town, and residents, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs and Yoruba Monarchs.
She wished him Aljana Firdaus, praying that Almighty God guards him in his journey to eternity.
