The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has been buried in the ancient town of Oyo.
The prominent king died in the late hour of Friday.
His remains were laid to rest on Saturday according to the Islamic rites.
Islamic clerics led by the Chief Imam of Oyo,Masud Ajokidero were joined by members of the family of the late traditional ruler and some of his chiefs to offer prayers for the repose of his soul.
After the prayers, his body was taken back to where that had been prepared as final abode where the final interment was held.
In his tribute,former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle in self-discovery and self actualisation.
He condoled the Oyo State Governor,Seyi Makinde, the family of Oba Adeyemi and the entire people of Oyo on the transition of the late monarch.
He stated that the late monarch was a patriotic and highly respected traditional ruler who had immeasurable love for his people and great faith in a united Nigeria.
“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 selfdiscovery and selfactualisation.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state lamented the departure of the late monarch, and observed that the monarch transited “at a time when his wisdom and wealth of experience was needed to navigate through the murky waters of politics and national insecurity threatening the corporate exitence of our dear country, Nigeria.
He also appealed to his Oyo state counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde to immortalize the Oba in recognition of his sacrifices and contributions to the growth of the country.
He said:“Oba Adeyemi was a respected royal father who was conscious about the peace and unity of his kingdom and the nation. We shall miss his tutelage and wise counsel.He was a brave and courageous king who did everything possible to preserve the culture and tradition of his people. Oba Adeyemi’s reign witnessed peace and unity of the kingdom, which created the enabling environment for growth and development, not just in Oyo State but also in Nigeria.”
Former Governor of Ogun State,Ibikunle Amosun,described the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as a human library with remarkable knowledge of history of Yorubaland and Nigeria.
He said Alafin’s demise was a personal loss and a great loss to Yorubaland and Nigeria in general.
“I commiserate with the Government and good people of Oyo State and the entire Yorubaland as our revered traditional ruler, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Lamidi Adeyemi III,the Alaafin of Oyo, joins his ancestors at the age of 83 years.The exit of Oba Adeyemi III is a great loss to all of us in Yorubaland and indeed, the whole of Nigeria. Oba Adeyemi was a symbol and custodian of the rich culture and tradition of the Yoruba traditional institution as well as a source of inspiration for the entire Yorubaland.
“Kabiyesi was a cherished leader and a respected elder statesman who demonstrated exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment towards the unity, cohesion, harmony and continued development of the Oyo empire, the entire Yorubaland and Nigeria.At a personal level, I have lost a counsellor and adviser whose wisdom and courage are not in surplus supply in this clime”.
In his condolence statement,Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams ,described the death of Alaafin of Oyo, as a national tragedy, colossal and personal loss to him.
He said the foremost Yoruba monarch had lived a worthy life all through his reign.
Nigeria, Yoruba and the ancient town of Oyo had lost a great monarch, whose life was a true reflection of complete Yoruba monarch,he also said
He added:”Kabiesi’s death is surely a national tragedy, it is a personal loss to me and it ended a chapter in the annals of this country. The Yoruba has lost a true and revered monarch and a repository of history and knowledge A sudden cloud has overwhelmed the entire Yoruba land and we can hardly forget the roles of Alaafin as the top Yoruba monarch in a hurry”
“There’s is no way I can figure out this collosal loss. Alaafin has been a strong pillar in the service of our race.He was an Iroko among all trees and a strong voice for the Yoruba race.Alaafin was,till date,the longest reigning monarch in Oyo history.No monarch had reigned for 35 years in Oyo,but Alaafin outlived that, spending 52 years on the throne”
The Pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, also described the late Alafin of Oyo, as a colossus.
In a statement by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere stated that the late Alaafin was a personification of royalty and nobility in every sense of the word.
He was a colossus because he was at home in discussing virtually any subject – particularly those bordering on any aspect of Yoruba history, contemporary and ancient,Ajayi said
He said on a number of occasions, Afenifere has had causes to consult with him and he never disappointed us in terms of how he would shed light on issues and provide useful guidance.
Ajayi said that the leadership and entire members of Afenifere, on behalf of all Yoruba sons and daughters, commiserate with the immediate and extended families of the late monarch, the entire people of Oyo, Oyo State Government, the Yoruba people all over the world and Nigeria as a whole.
