…after 52-year reign
. Palace receives remains as traditional rites begin
Foremost Yoruba monarch, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has joined his ancestors.
Oba Adeyemi passed on at the age of 83 years.
Palace sources said the royal father died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
It was gathered that the monarch’s first son, Prince ‘Tunde, and other children had received their late father’s remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town early Saturday morning.
First News also learnt that traditional rites had already started, but details of the late monarch’s burial had yet to be released.
Oba Adeyemi, who ascended the throne on January 14, 1971, reigned for 52 years before he joined his ancestors, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin in history.
With the Alaafin’s passage, tradition stipulates that the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, takes over pending the appointment of a new monarch.
High Chief Yusuf Ayoola is the current Basorun of Oyo and he is also expected to brief the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, before making an official announcement of the Alaafin’s passage.
Late Oba Adeyemi was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family. He was born on October 15, 1938 and while growing up, he lived briefly at Iseyin, Oyo State.
Oba Adeyemi III was the son of Oba Adeyemi II, the deposed Alaafin of Oyo who was also exiled in 1954 over partisan politics.
In 1970, Oba Adeyemi III succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II. He was officially crowned on January 14, 1971.
Oba Adeyemi was an amateur boxer. His demise followed that of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji. The two prominent Yoruba monarchs died on December 12, 2021, and January 2, 2022, respectively.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has passed on.
He was 83 years old.
The top Yoruba monarch died in the late hours of Friday, according to palace officials.
Adeyemi died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, The PUNCH was told.
The late Alaafin’s first son, Prince ‘Tunde, and other children had received the monarch’s remains at Idi-Igba, Oyo town early Saturday morning.
Palace sources confirmed that traditional rites had begun without giving details about his burial arrangement yet.
Adeyemi ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.
By tradition, the head of the Oyomesi, Basorun of Oyo, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola, would take over pending the appointment of a new Alaafin.
Basorun is also expected to brief the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, before an official announcement.
The late Alaafin of Oyo was from the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu family. He was born on October 15, 1938.
During his late childhood stage, he lived briefly at Iseyin.
Adeyemi III was the son of Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo who was deposed and sent into exile in 1954 for having sympathy for the National Council of Nigerian Citizens.
He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971.
He was a lover of boxing.
Adeyemi’s death came after the demise of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji, who died on December 12, 2021, and January 2, 2022, respectively.
