Top Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has passed on, this newspaper can report.
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 capital of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.
A palace source said his remains have been received by his children at Idi-Igba, adding that traditional burial rites have begun immediately.
“Oba Adeyemi has joined his ancestors. He was strong until his death at 83. He is the most cerebral Alaafin in the history of Oyo Empire. He witnessed history and put it into use as Alaafin. He was in tune with civilisation and modern history also. That is why his reign will be remembered for ages,” the source said.
He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has already been notified of the incident and an official announcement will soon be made by the State Government while the Bashorun of Oyo, Alhaji Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, will now lead Oyo town before a new Alaafin is installed.
Following the transition to the great beyond of the monarch, plans are already in top gear for the burial today, palace source told this newspaper.
According to the palace source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitiveness of the situation in the Alaafin’s palace, the late Alaafin’s remains will be committed to mother earth by 4pm today April 23rd.
The late monarch’s remains will be taken to Baara, the final resting place of all the Alaafin of Oyo who joined their ancestors.
The source also confirmed that works have started immediately at Baara in preparation for the final burial of the late monarch.
“It is true Baara is being prepared for the final burial of the late iku baba yeye because that’s the final resting place of all his predecessors.
“Mind you, 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 for guidance and or directions.” The source said.
This newspaper also gathered that dignitaries have started arriving Oyo town to commiserate with the palace and the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, who is the chief mourner.
The monarch is the third prominent Oba to have died in Oyo State in less than five months.
The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi died on December 12, 2021, the late Olubadan of Ibadan, died on January 2, 2022 and the Alaafin died on April 22.
Also, the Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adewuyi died in December 2021 and the monarch of Ikoyi town in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla also died in April 2022.
Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.
Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971. To prepare him for the throne, Adeyemi lived in several palaces in some parts of Yoruba land. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.
A lover of boxing, the king is known for marrying several young women at his old age. In 2018, the king had three sets of twins from three of his queens.
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.
