The Yoruba land and the entire country was thrown into a mourning state, early Saturday when news broke out about the passage of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at the age of 83 years.
The New Diplomat had reported that the great Yoruba monarch breathed his last while receiving medical attention at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Since the demise, thousands of Oyo indigenes have been storming the palace in hope to confirm that the revered monarch was still alive.
However, it was a shocking and saddening moment for many when the monarch’s remains were brought back to the palace in Oyo on Saturday, confirming that indeed the ‘great iroko’ has fallen.
Shortly after the arrival of his remains, Islamic clerics led by Chief Imam of Oyo, Alhaji Moshood Ajokideru, performed their prayers in line with the Islamic beliefs which the late monarch practiced while alive.
The prayers lasted for only three minutes after which the casket was taken back inside the palace, awaiting the final burial, which the Basorun of Oyo, who is the Head of the Oyo Mesi, High Chief, Yusuf Ayoola, announced would take place around 9pm.
The monarch was buried in a vault, Bara, reserved for Alaafins, around 10pm, Saturday.
Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians have continued to mourn the passage of Oba Adeyemi, with many describing it as a loss to the country.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in his condolence message described the passage of Oba Adeyemi as a loss to the entire Oduduwa race.
The monarch in a statement issued by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Moses Olafare on Saturday, described the late Alaafin as a great icon and a worthy elder whose entire life was dedicated to the promotion of the prestigious Yoruba culture and the 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.
The Vice-Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Francis Alao, who is the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a rude shock, saying it came at time the first-class monarch’s wealth of experience was needed the most.
Oba Alao, in his condolence message, said Oba Adeyemi will always be remembered for his contributions to the development of Oyo town, the state and Nigeria.
“Nigeria lost the most (authoritative) encyclopaedia of culture and tradition. Our amiable chairman of Oyo State Obas Council and Chiefs left us when he is most needed. A real gem is gone.”
Also, President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolence message described the demise of the monarch as a great loss noting that his reign covered major historic transitions in the country.
Buhari in a statement on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over Oba Adeyemi’s passage,
“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,” the statement said.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a huge loss to the state and the entire Yoruba race.The governor, in a condolence message circulated by his media aide, Taiwo Adisa, said, “Kabiyesi’s departure is a huge loss not only to Oyo State, to which he committed 52 years of his life as the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, but also to Nigeria and the entire Yoruba race.
“Oba Adeyemi was our last man standing in the rank of most eminent royal fathers with long years of leadership.
“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.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the late Alaafin as a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self-actualisation.
Obasanjo in a condolence message issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Saturday, said Oba Adeyemi will be forever remembered for his immeasurable love for his people and great faith in a united Nigeria.
“He stood out as a voice of forthrightness in national affairs and he was as well a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding not only among the diverse people who live in his domain but also across the country.
“It 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, CFR, on him and other honorary degrees that he received from some Nigerian and outside educational institutions,” Obasanjo said in the statement.
Also, former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described Oba Adeyemi as a strong pillar of the arts, culture and tradition.
According to him, the passage of the late monarch an auspicious ear for the entire black race.
Tinubu stated, “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.
“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.”
