Governor Makinde speaking during his condolence visit, on Sunday, to the palace on the passing-away of a progenitor of Yoruba Culture, His Imperial Majesty, Late Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday 22nd, 2022
Makinde eulogises late Alaafin, urges Council of Chiefs not to delay process of selection of new monarch
Governor Seyi Makinde, Sunday, said the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, ‘lived a fulfilled and impactful life, not only in Oyo, but throughout Nigeria.’
Governor Makinde speaking during his condolence visit, on Sunday, to the palace on the passing-away of a progenitor of Yoruba Culture, His Imperial Majesty, Late Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday 22nd, 2022
Makinde, who led top state government functionaries to the Palace of the late Alaafin of Oyo, further, promised to give the late traditional ruler a befitting burial.
Adeyemi passed on, late Friday night, and was interred on Saturday afternoon, according to Islamic rites.
According to Makinde, the late traditional ruler lived a fulfilled and impactful life, “not only in Oyo, but throughout the country.”
Makinde said that he had been receiving several calls from notable Nigerians since the departure of the Alaafin indicating that the late Oba Adeyemi,was a great man.
“In Oyo, we have just lost the last human encyclopaedia of our traditional history and his vacuum will be very difficult to fill.
“In fact, I don’t see anybody who can replace this vacuum.
“He was always telling the truth; he bluntly told me in 2015 when aspiring to be governor of the state, that it wasn’t possible at that time, because I didn’t have structure.
Visitors at the palace during the condolence visit by Governor Makinde on the passing-away of a progenitor of Yoruba Culture, His Imperial Majesty, Late Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday 22nd, 2022
“So, he was a kind of personality that would not hide the truth.
“This is a difficult period for us; what we need this time is prayers. I pray that all the good things that baba wished for the state would be fulfilled.
The governor appealed to the Council of Chiefs (Oyo Mesi), and all those that would be involved in the selection of another Alaafin not to delay the process.
Former Chief of Staff in Oyo State Government, Chief Bisi Ilaka (left) flanked by family members of the Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who joined his ancestors on Friday 22nd, 2022, during the condolence visit by Governor Makinde, Sunday
Makinde, while reacting to insinuations in the social media, in a comical manner, said he was not the one responsible for the deaths of foremost Obas in the state.
He explained that the top three Obas that died in the last five months, were riped in age, saying that they have impacted on their people.
Makinde listed the traditional rulers as: Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi of Ogbomoso, who died on December 12, 2021; Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan, died on January 2, 2022 and Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo, on April 22.
Earlier, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, on behalf of Oyo Traditional Chiefs, said they were delighted to receive the governor who came to join them in celebrating the late Alaafin.
Ladigbolu said that Adeyemi was “a true incarnation of Atiba, the Grand Great King of Oyo Empire”.
According to him, Oba Adeyemi died the same month Atiba passed away.
