Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is dead.
He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
The top Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was the Alaafin, the traditional ruler, of the Yoruba town of Oyo and rightful heir to the throne of its historic empire. He was born on 15th October, 1938, in Oyo. He was from Oranyan Ruling House. His father was Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II and her mother was Olori Ibironke.
Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowolodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The remains of the legendary monarch, a living idol in Yoruba land was brought to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday .
According to available information from impeccable sources, traditional rites of passage as demand by Oyo customs and tradition, began this morning in the palace to appease the gods of the land.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has made the official announcement upon receiving the report of the monarch’s passing from the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, who will now lead Oyo town before a new Alaafin is installed.
According to GSM, he described Alaafin as a colossus and an Imperial Majesty with fame , honour , character and integrity. He therefore sympathized with the Oyomesi and the entire good people of Oyo town over the huge loss. He went further to say that the loss was a monumental one for the entire Yoruba race , and then prayed that God should give the Oyomesi ,Oyo indegenes and the entire people of Yoruba Nation the uncommon fortitude to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.
The monarch took ill recently, and the plan to fly him abroad was on top gear before he eventually gave up the ghost late Friday night at Ado-Ekiti where he was receiving medical treatment.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.
His death came months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi, joined their ancestors. All happened in less than five months..
A new Olubadan has been installed but the Soun throne remains vacant as we speak
The monarch was crowned on November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I. He was popularly as Iku Baba Yeye conglomens.
While he reigned, he was the permanent Chairperson of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
With the demise of Alaafin Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch. Mr Adeyemi’s predecessor, Alaafin Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.
He left behind many wives like Badirat Olaitan Ajoke Adeyemi, Memunat Omowumi Adeyemi, Abibat Adeyemi and so on and his retinue of children and families.
