Alaafin Of Oyo: SW Govs Forum Mourns, Describes Passage As Big Blow To The Region

By Ayodele Oni

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi began his journey to eternity as the Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mos’ud Ajokidero and other notable Islamic clerics in Oyo and neighboring towns performed the funeral (Janazah) prayers on his remains.

The prayers, which was held outside the Aganju forecourt, took place few minutes before noon before the remains were taken to Baara, a five-minute drive from the palace, where Alaafins are lowered.

His popular Princes and Princesses like Babatunde, Skimeh, Bayo Adeyemi, Taibah Adeyemi-Agaba and others witnessed the last rites of passage .

Ṣalāt al-Janāzah is the Islamic funeral prayer; a part of the Islamic funeral ritual. The prayer is performed in congregation to seek pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims.

The remains were committed to mother earth at exactly 4.00 pm, with symparthisers that bade one of the foremost Monarchs in Yoruba land farewell.

In a condolence message, Chairman South West Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, noted that another Great Iroko Tree Has Fallen.

The statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, states “Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, received the news of the transition of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, with a rude shock.

“Governor Akeredolu described the transition of the highly revered monarch to the world beyond as a big blow to the Oyo Kingdom; Yoruba race; and the country at large.

“We have lost a quintessential traditional ruler and custodian of the Yoruba culture. His contributions to the development and advancement of the country and Yoruba Land in particular are unquantifiable.

“He was a great pillar. A great giant who did not only represent our cultural values but also preserved and promoted the Yoruba culture. He was a repository of knowledge.

“With over five decades on the throne of his fathers, Oba Lamidi III was the longest-reigning Alaafin whose reign had been the most remarkable for the entire Oyo Kingdom. He was a symbol of Yoruba Unity.

“His commitment toward ensuring the unity of the Yoruba can not be forgotten in a hurry. He lived a life invariably imbued with candour and resplendence. He was royal to the end.”

The Governor expressed his condolences to Oba Adeyemi’s immediate family, the Oyo State Traditional Council, the Oyomesi, the people of Oyo Kingdom and the entire Yoruba race.

He prayed that the Almighty Allah will accept Baba’s soul and give him eternal rest in his blossom.