President Muhammadu Buhari and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The Oba died on Friday at the age of 83 years.
In a condolence message by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina, on Saturday in Abuja, Buhari noted that the Alaafin’s reign witnessed transformations in his domain.
He also said the Alaafin’s 52-year reign was remarkable in many ways, more so the emphasis he placed on human development, thereby encouraging learning as a culture and formal education as a necessity.
The president lauded the late monarch for promoting values of peace and stability.
He noted that Adeyemi III participated in numerous national meetings and conferences to shape the future of the country, including living words of wisdom he shared at every opportunity on unity and people-focused governance.
The president shared the grief with the Oyo State Traditional Council, Oba Lamidi’s family, friends, and associates, particularly in sports where he left another footprint.
He prayed that the Almighty God would receive his soul.
In his condolence, Governor Makinde deacribed the Alaafin’s passing as a huge loss to the state, Nigeria, and the Yoruba race.
He described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, adding that he was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater.
Makinde said: “I have been informed about the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.”
The governor said the late monarch’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful to him.
He 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 Oyo State losing its last man standing in the rank of experienced monarchs with long years of royal leadership, and 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.
He said: “I express heartfelt condolences to the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, which Oba Adeyemi chaired for decades, the Oyomesi, and the entire people of Oyo Kingdom.
“I equally commiserate with the Oloris, children and entire Adeyemi family on the demise of their patriarch and worthy father.
“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.
“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.
“Personally, Kabiyesi’s death is a great loss to me, because he proved to be a worthy father and had been ever so supportive of our government.
“His words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.
“It is my prayer that God accepts Kabiyesi’s soul into Aljanah Firdaus and upholds everyone and everything he left behind. Good night, Iku Baba Yeye!”
Alaafin Adeyemi, the third to ascend the throne from the Alowolodu ruling house, ruled for 52 years – making him the longest-reigning traditional ruler in Oyo town.
He was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938, and succeeded Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I as the new Alaafin on November 18, 1970.
Following his demise, the Bashorun of Oyo and Head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, Yusuf Akinade, is expected to lead Oyo town before a new Alaafin is installed.
