Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State have paid glowing tributes to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on Friday night at the age of 83.
In the letter of condolence sent to Governor Makinde, Obasanjo said Oba Adeyemi died “at a crucial state in our nation’s history when his wise counsel and rich experience are greatly needed.”
A copy of the letter was made available to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
The former President described the monarch as a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self-actualisation.
He described the late Alaafin as a patriotic and highly respected traditional ruler who had immeasurable love for his people and great faith in a united Nigeria.
Obasanjo said, “He stood out as a voice of forthrightness in national affairs and he was as well a fervent promoter of mutual tolerance and understanding, not only among the diverse people who live in his domain, but also across the country.
“It is well acknowledged that it was during his reign that Oyo Town got transformed to the modern city that it has become today and not surprisingly, his contribution to nation-building was also acknowledged in the conferment of the esteemed national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, on him and other honorary degrees that he received from some Nigerian and outside educational institutions.
“Like most great leaders, Alaafin was all things to all people. To his family, he was a tower of strength and a committed provider; to his community of Oyo land, he was an early model in national leadership; to his Yoruba kinsmen, he was a worthy Ambassador; and to the rest of Nigeria, he was a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self-actualisation.
According to Obasanjo, although Oba Adeyemi’s passage is like a dream, his family can take solace in the worthy legacy and his mark on the history of the country he left behind.
He noted that gratitude ought to be given to God for the worthy life the monarch lived.
Obasanjo prayed that God would grant the family, the people of Oyo land and the entire Oyo State the grace to bear the heavy loss of the monarch’s death.
Meanwhile in a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, Makinde declared that the death of the traditional ruler was a huge loss to the state, Nigeria, and the Yoruba race.
He described Oba Adeyemi’s death as a personal loss to him, adding that he was an ever-supportive royal father and a worthy leader who spared nothing in trying to make Oyo State and Nigeria greater.
“I have been informed about the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III,” Makinde said.
The governor, who said Alaafin’s words of advice and guidance were always golden and helpful, condoled with the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the people of Oyo Kingdom, and the entire Yoruba race and prayed to God to grant repose to the soul of the departed monarch.
He 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 had become by virtue of his high-octane understanding of Yoruba history, politics, and national development.
“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,” the governor continued.
“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, but he also 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 upholds everyone and everything he left behind. Good night, Iku Baba Yeye!”
Similarly, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrooshed Akanbi, has described the death of Oba Adeyemi as a monumental loss to the traditional institution, adding that the vacuum created by the monarch’s passage was most likely irreplaceable.
Oba Akanbi in a condolence message titled: ‘Alaafin’s death: End of an era’, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, obtained in Osogbo on Saturday, also recalled his last meeting with late Oba Adeyemi.
Oluwo said that during the visit to him in Oyo, he had a private jolly talk with Oba Adeyemi, and the two of them were happy and joyous.
The statement read in part, “I visited Baba Alaafin last week when my mind got attracted to him. We had a private jolly talks. We were both happy and joyous as I drank from his wealth of history.
“At our meeting, we scheduled an event for early next month (May) here in Osun State. As God would have it, I got the news of his demise this morning. But who dare question God?
“The death of Alaafin, Iku Baba Yeye, Lamidi Adeyemi Olayiwola, was a monumental loss to the traditional institution. His vacuum is most likely irreplaceable. His death is no doubt the end of an era. He was a force and a true, responsible father to the Yoruba nation.”
He also noted that the loyalty of Oba Adeyemi to Yorubaland was never in doubt, as he served wholeheartedly, saying even in death, he would continue to adore the deceased.
