Prominent Nigerians from all walks of life, yesterday, poured encomium on the late Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on 22nd April, 2022 at 83.

Among the prominent personalities that converged on the Aganju Fore Court of the Alaafin’s Palace in Oyo Town for the eighth day fidau for the revered first-class monarch were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwisi I, who was represented by Oba Adekola Adebowale; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba (Dr.) Lekan Balogun; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abduganiyi Oloogunebi, Ajinase 1; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi; the Olowo of Owo Oba, Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, who was represented by Oba Amos Adekunle; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a host of others.

The Christian community was led by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in Oyo Town, Apostle Femi Akinyemiji, who gave the opening prayer, while the Chief Imam of Oyo, Alhaji Abdulganiy Ajokidero, prayed on behalf of the Muslim community. A popular cleric from Ilorin, Kwara State, Sheik Farooq Onikijipa, gave a brief lecture at the occasion.

The CAN Chairman urged politicians, kings and government officials to put their house in order. The Islamic cleric, Onikijipa, said that whoever knows that he or she will die must always strive to do good. “Beware of the last day and what will be said after you,” he admonished, saying that Alaafin lived a fulfilled and rewarding life.

Tinubu described the late Alaafin as an institution not only in Yorubaland, but in Nigeria, saying the monarch would be immotalised with a monument called Training and Development Skills Centre for the Youth.

He noted that the late Alaafin did not take side on any issue, but was always concerned about the peace and stability of Nigeria, including the history of Yoruba race.

“He hates no one, he associates with everybody and accommodative. He is kind and generous; we shall miss him a lot and his memory shall be for ever,” he said.

Also present at the programme coordinated by retired Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and hosted by the Chairman of Atiba Local Council, Kafilat Olakojo, were the Post Master General of the Federation, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi; the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson; Sir Debo Omotoso, Asiwaju of Awe; the Iyaloja of Oyo town, Princess Folasade Nurudeen Adeyemi, and the Chairman of Oyo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ademola Babalola, among others.

Responding on behalf of the kings in attendance, the Onabode of Igboho, lauded the late Alaafin for empowering the monarchs in the Oke-Ogun zone of the state.
“Before the Alaafin was installed in 1970, none of the Oke Ogun traditional leaders were crowned. It was the Alaafin who made us to be wearing crowns. He was the one that allowed it.”

He pleaded that whoever succeeds Iku Baba Yeye must be someone who understands the customs, history and tradition of Yorubaland. (The Guardian)

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