Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the passage of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, as a huge loss to the state, Yoruba race and Nigeria as a whole.
Besides, he said the incident is a personal loss to him, adding 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.
The governor, who said Alaafin’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful, condoled with the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom, and the entire Yoruba race and prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed monarch.
He stated that 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 had become by virtue of his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics, and national development.
“Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership,” the governor said. “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, but he also 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.”
Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, aged 83, died on April 22, 2022.
Meanwhile, Nigerians hit the social media hours after the news to mourn of his passage.
Some also advised Oyo state to be prayerful as his passage came months after that of two other first class Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi.
These are some of the reactions:
@kingrichwise: “Iku ti pa’da pa omo e ….
Arun ti pa’da sh’e omo arun…
O’fo ti pa’da sh’e omo o’fo…
“Iku baba yèyé, Alaafin Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi join his ancestors.
“Condolences to the entire Yoruba community, Oyo state government to Oyo people and to Kabiyesi’s family.
“Rest In Peace Oba.”
@Adewale_ sogade: “I just woke up to the sad new of the demise of the Alaafin of Oyo. I send my deepest condolences to the family and all indigenes of Oyo in General.”
@timmysevenseven:”Soun of Ogbomoso died on December, 2021
Olubadan of Ibadan died on January 2022.
“Today being April 23, 2022, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has gone to join his ancestors. Oyo State lost three great Monarchs within five months. May their souls #RestInPeace”
@barnaby04: “Wow!!! Why is Oyo state’s top traditional rulers going one after the other like this? Alaafin of Oyo will be missed a lot.”
@Preach_Peace_: “Rest In Peace, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (Iku Baba Yeye), Alaafin of Oyo. “Your death is a big loss to Oyo State, the Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.”
@FotoNugget: “The fact that powerful people in Oyo State are dying this 2022 is what is making me scared asf.”
@Yincle: “What’s happening in OYO State?
“It was the death of Olubadan of Ibadan, followed by that of Soun of Ogbomosho, now Alaafin of Oyo has also joined his ancestors… all in the same year. What kind of very rare coincidence is this?”
