How Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, died at 83

Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

His death came 15 weeks after the death of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, who joined his ancestors on January 2, 2022.

He died when he reportedly went to the Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for a routine medical check-up.

It was learnt that the remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources disclosed
He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is expected to make an official announcement upon receiving the report of the monarch’s passing from the Bashorun of Oyo, Yusuf Akinade, the head of the ‘Oyo Mesi’, who will now lead Oyo before a new Alaafin is installed.

The monarch had been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on late Friday night.
A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.

With the demise of Oba Adeyemi, it is now the turn of the Agunloye Ruling House to produce the next Oyo monarch as his predecessor, Bello Ladigbolu, was from the Agunloye House.

Eight things to remembered of Late Alafin Of Oyo

He became King at 31.

He was known as the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He reportedly joined his ancestors on Friday night, bringing an end to his 52-year-old illustrious reign on the throne.

Aged 83, Oba Adeyemi, died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State. He was the longest serving Alafin of Oyo.

As the public await funeral arrangements for Iku baba yeye as he’s fondly called, here are 10 highlights of Adeyemi’s life and time.

Birth

Oba Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House and was a member of the House of Oranmiyan. Iku baba yeye, whose mother, Ibironke, died when he was young, was the son of late Raji Adeniran Adeyemi, who became Alaafin in 1945.

Became king at 31

Oba Lamidi Adeyemi ascended the throne of Alafin in 1970 at a young age of 31 shortly after the end of the civil war. He became the king during when Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was the military governor of Oyo State.

Boxer

One notable attribute of the late king was his love for boxing, a ‘skill’ he had dramatically displayed in public. He was said to be a boxer before ascending the throne.

Performed Hajj in 1975

In 1975, the then head of state, General Murtala Muhammed included Oba Adeyemi in his entourage to hajj. In 1990, General Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.

UDUS Chancellor

The late king was the chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992.

Chairman Council of Obas

Alafin was the permanent Chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State until May 3, 2011 when former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala announced that the state government had passed a law that introduced rotation of the office of Chairman between the Alaafin and two other kings in the state – the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomoso.

Married to 13 wives.

Adeyemi had 11 wives, the senior among them being Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi, and usually attended most events with her or with one of the 12 junior wives.

His other wives include Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi, Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi, Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi, Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi, Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi, Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi, Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi, Ayaba Moji Adeyemi, Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi, And Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi.

Fathered over 20 children.

Alafin is succeeded by more than 20 children and grand children.

Source: Daily Trust

Detailed history of Late Oba Lamidi

A first-class Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has died at the age of 83 after reigning as king for 52 years.

The Monarch died on Thursday April 21, 2022 at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

The Media and Publicity Director to the late Alaafin, Mr Bode Durojaiye, confirmed the news of the Alaafin’s death on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Durojaiye stated: “It is true. The Alaafin has joined his ancestors. I saw his remains laid down in the palace. The palace is mourning now. I can confirm that to you. There are many people that have stormed the palace at Oke-Afin in Oyo Town. I am there right now. I will give details later through a press statement.”

When asked about a press statement that was circulated debunking Alaafin’s death, Durojaiye responded: “I did not issue any press statement today. That press release was issued a long time ago when it was rumoured that the Alaafin was dead.”

He further disclosed that the body of kingmakers, known as Oyomesi, would take the decision on the burial of the monarch.

Oba Adeyemi was said to have gone to the Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti for a routine medical check-up before death allegedly caught up with him at the facility.

The demise of Oba Adeyemi came 15 weeks after the death of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, who joined his ancestors on January 2, 2022.

Similarly, the Alaafin’s death occurred barely five months after the transition of Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, who also bade the world farewell on December 12, 2021.

Aources also said the remains of Oba Adeyemi III,  had been moved from Ado-Ekiti to Oyo Town, Oyo State, in the early hours of Saturday April 23, for preparation for burial, as a traditional ruler and as a Muslim.

The Basorun of Oyo, who is the head of the kingmakers in the town, known as Oyomesi, Chief Yusuf Akinade Ayoola, is expected to take over the traditional rulership of the town, till the time that a substantive Alaafin would be appointed.

The Late Alaafin
The late Alaafin was born on October 15, 1938, into the Alowolodu Royal House, and as a member of the House of Oranmiyan, to Raji Adeniran Adeyemi, who was born in 1871, and later became Alaafin in 1945, and Ibironke of Epo-Gingin, who died when Oba Adeyemi III was young.

His paternal grandfather, according to historians, was Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu, who ruled during the Kiriji War, and was the last independent ruler of the Oyo Empire before the British colonialisation.

Alaafin, a lover of boxing, who was a boxer before ascending the throne of his forefathers, succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, on November 18, 1970.

source: Voice of Nigeria

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