* Leaders mourn monarch
Our Correspondents
President Muhammadu Buhari and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have mourned the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who died on Friday night at the age of 83, after 52 years on the throne.
The remains of Oba Adeyemi, who passed on at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, were committed to mother earth last night according to Islamic and traditional rites.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) have also paid glowing tributes to the late monarch.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II; the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has also mourned the death of the Oyo monarch.
President Buhari in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, stressed that the Alaafin of Oyo’s 52 years of rule was remarkable in many ways, most significant was the emphasis he placed on human development, thereby encouraging learning as a culture and formal education as a necessity while promoting values of peace and stability.
As a highly revered traditional ruler, President Buhari noted the late monarch’s numerous involvements in national meetings and conferences to shape the future of the country, and the living words of wisdom he shared at every opportunity on unity and people-focused governance.
In his letter of condolence sent to Makinde, Obasanjo said Oba Adeyemi died “at a crucial stage 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 yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi.
The former president described the monarch as a symbol of a nation’s epic struggle for self-discovery and self-actualisation. He said the late Alaafin was 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.”
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.
On his part, Jonathan has also commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, describing the late traditional ruler as a great leader who recorded considerable achievements during his long and glorious reign.
In a condolence letter to Makinde, Jonathan noted that the late Alaafin was a skilled custodian of the tradition and culture of his people who had an eventful and epoch-making reign.
“Oba Adeyemi’s voyage on earth was full of notable achievements and epoch-making reign as a highly revered royal father. He was a great leader, bridge builder, and a skilled custodian of the tradition and culture of his people,” the former president said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze.
Atiku has also reacted to the news of the passing of the Alaafin of Oyo, describing it as a great loss for Nigeria and African culture at large.
APC’s presidential aspirant and National Leader of the party, Tinubu, has also expressed sadness over the death of the late Alaafin Lamidi Adeyemi, describing the demise of the revered monarch as the fall of a big Iroko tree.
Tinubu in a personally signed statement, said the Alaafin brought prosperity and development to the ancient Oyo Kingdom having ascended the throne of his forebears at a young age.
“After ascending to the royal throne at the age of 31, Alaafin became one of the most influential, greatly respected traditional rulers in Yorubaland, Nigeria and indeed Africa and beyond.”
Ekiti State Governor, Fayemi, has also extolled the virtues of the late Alaafin of Oyo
Fayemi, on his part, said the departure of the revered monarch has created a big vacuum in the traditional institution in Oyo State in particular and Yoruba land in general.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said the late Oba Adeyemi was a bridge builder, a patriot, and a courageous leader, who contributed to the unity of Nigeria in his lifetime.
He noted that the late Oba Adeyemi was an authority in history and blessed with a sharp memory that added value and class to his royal duties and day-to-day interaction with people from different walks of life.
Osun State governor, Oyetola, also described the passing of the Alaafin of Oyo, as shocking, saying it signified the end of an era.
Oyetola also commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Makinde, and the entire Yoruba race over the demise of the late monarch.
He described Alaafin’s transition as a personal loss because, according to him, the late monarch was “a good friend of Osun who was always ready to identify with our government and celebrate our humble accomplishments and achievements.”
In his message, Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State described the death of the Alaafin of Oyo as the fall of a great Iroko.
Akeredolu who is the Chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum, said the Oba’s death was a rude shock.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde in Akure.
Akeredolu described the transition of the Oba 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 said.
Governor of Benue State, Ortom also yesterday commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the transition to the great beyond of the Alaafin of Oyo.
In a condolence message to his Oyo State counterpart, Makinde, issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, the governor described the late Oyo monarch as a courageous king who did everything possible to preserve the culture and tradition of his people.
Similarly, the Governor of Edo State, Obaseki, also described the late monarch as, “a great ruler, who displayed kindness and compassion to his people, espousing the virtues of hard work, diligence, and love for humanity.”
In a statement yesterday, Obaseki said: “Brave and cheerful, Oba Adeyemi embodied the ideals of the Yoruba nation, promoting the rich culture and heritage of the Yorubas and providing wise counsel to those who sought guidance from the throne.”
Delta State Governor, Okowa, commiserated with Makinde, the Government, and the people of Oyo State over the passing of the Alaafin of Oyo.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor noted that the late octogenarian monarch was an influential leader who was committed to the development of his kingdom and beyond.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila has described the passing away of the Alaafin of Oyo, as a sad development that touched him personally.
On his part, Governor Abiodun of Ogun State mourned the late Alaafin
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, the governor described the monarch’s death as tragic and occurred when least expected.
“I commiserate with the Oyomesi, the wives and children of the late monarch, and the entire Adeyemi family over this irreplaceable loss. I pray for their comfort and peace at the trying times.
“It is unfortunate that Kabiyesi had to take his leave of us, at this period, when we need his wisdom the most, as we approach the 2023 general election, a critical period in our political landmarks,” Somorin quoted the governor as saying.
Gbajabiamila said the death of the paramount Yoruba ruler came to him as a rude shock, describing the late Alaafin, who had been like a father to him, as a very intelligent father with a sound grasp of traditional, social, political, and international history.
Gbajabiamila, who was recently appointed the Aare Baasofin of Yoruba Land by the late Alaafin, said the death of the traditional ruler has created a void too difficult to fill.
In his reaction, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, described the death of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, as the end of a remarkable and glorious era.
Balogun made the assertions in a statement he signed yesterday in Ibadan, following the announcement of the death of the great Oba.
The Olubadan, who expressed shock at the news of the death of the Oyo traditional ruler, described the late traditional ruler as “a royal father per excellence, who projected Yoruba culture and civilisation with awe and dignity”.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari has also described the demise of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as a colossal loss to traditional institutions in the country.
Alhaji Sulu-Gambari noted that the 52 years reign of Oba Adeyemi III witnessed a tremendous display of royalty, excellence, peace, and harmony among inhabitants of the ancient town of Oyo and Oyo State in general.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arowona, the monarch stated, “Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi’s death marks the end of another era, the world will surely miss the exit of a bridge-builder”.
