IBADAN – A delegation of the Oyo State Government on Saturday paid a condolence visit to family members and associates of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
The delegation, led by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal, described Alaafin’s death as a great loss to Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the commissioner as stating that the late Alaafin was a valuable asset to the state and that the vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill.
Lawal prayed to God to give Oyo people an Alaafin like the late monarch, saying: “On behalf of the governor, we wish to commiserate with the family on the demise of the great Monarch.
“Sincerely, this is a great loss to us, as we will sorely miss him. He has been a valuable asset and it will be difficult to fill the vacuum he has left behind. But we believe that sooner or later, God will give us another great person like him.”
Speaking on the burial arrangements, the Commissioner said that the government would follow due process and see to it that the royal icon is given a befitting burial.
He said: “It is too early to say anything right now about subsequent plans on burial arrangements from the side of the government. It just happened and time is not on our side. We are still going to follow due process in ensuring that everything is done perfectly.”
A Worthy Father – Makinde
Earlier, the state governor, Seyi Makinde had
declared that the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, is a huge loss to the state, Nigeria and the Yoruba race.
The governor, who described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, noted that he was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader, who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that Kabiyesi’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful.
The statement indicated that the governor expressed his condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom and the entire Yoruba race, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed monarch.
The governor, who 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 Olayiwola Adeyemi III had become by virtue of his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics and national development.
Makinde said: “I have been informed about the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
“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, 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.
“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 uphold everyone and everything he left behind.
“Good night, Iku Baba Yeye!”
