Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi: An Encyclopedia Of Royalty – Osun Traditional Rulers

By Ademola Lawal

A high powered delegation of traditional rulers in Osun state under the aegis of the Osun Council of Obas have paid a condolence visit to Oyo town on the demise of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

The traditional rulers was led by the Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin on behalf of the chairman, Osun Council of Obas and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Speaking while at the palace where they were received by the High Chiefs of Oyo and one of the Children of the late

Speaking at the palace, Oba Abolarin recalled memorable impacts and roles played by the late Alaafin Adeyemi.

He described the late monarch as a priceless tradition rulers whose worth in the promotion of the rich culture and traditions of Yoruba race cannot be underestimated.

Oba Abolarin said the vacuum left behind by the late foremost monarch will be very difficult to fill by anybody.

The Orangun of Oke Ila added “the present and future generations of the people of Yoruba land at home and diaspora will continue to hold the late Alaafin in high esteem even in death. On behalf of the Arole Oodua, I commiserate with the entire people of Oyo over this irreparable loss of a monarch and a very rare exemplar in the promotion of traditional beliefs, customs and heritage of Yoruba race.

“Baba Alaafin as we fondly called him while alive will remain as one powerful Oba whose reign was witnessed many achievements in the area of peace, unity, growth and development of Oyo town and humanity in general.

“Clean, thorough, humorous and cerebrally gifted with oratory powers ,the death of Oba Adeyemi came to many of us with rude shock. Your consolation just like ours should lie in the fact that ,Oba Lamidi Adeyemi came ,saw and conquered a lot on the throne of his forebears.

“Finally I pray that God will give the family he left behind and the entire people of Oyo great fortitude to bear this great. The type of Oba Adeyemi will be very rare to come by again Good night.”

The Orangun of Oke Ila maintained that they were not at the palace to mouen but to celebrate his humility, doggedness, uprightness and sincerity of purpose in all things associated with royalty, customs and traditions of the people of Yoruba race at home and diaspora.

He implored the Oyo- Mesis to make the selection processes of the next Alaafin crisisfree, devoid of any undue influence from any governmental and non governmental quarters in line with all the values the late Obas stood for.

Responding, the Basorun
of Oyo kingdom, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola expressed great appreciation over the visit of Osun monarchs, stressing that even in death the late Alaafin was genuinely loved and honoured by them.

In their separate remarks, the Samu of Oyo, High Chief, Lamidi Oyewale and Archbishop Ayoade Ladigbolu lauded the Osun monarchs for the display of spirit of love and oneness behind the condolence visit.

One of the children of the late Alaafin and a member of the House of Representatives, Prince Akeem Adeyemi said he “felt great and elated to receive such a powerful delegation of Obas from Osun.”

Hon Adeyemi who described his late father as a fearless and versatile monarch whose reign was long on the throne said he would be greatly missed by people.

After a special prayer session offered for the repose of the late Alaafin of Oyo and wives, the delegation of Oba Abolarin led monarchs also visited Oluponna town in Osun State over the demise of the monarch of the town.

Other royal fathers on the delegation were the Alie of Ilie, Alara of Ara; Owamiran of Esa Oke; Olunisa of Inisa; Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Olu of Songbe; Elegboro of Ijebu Jesa; Oluresi of Iresi; Oloyan of Oyan; Onigbaye of Igbaye and Akire of Ikire-Ile.