TELL Magazine

…. As Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Dies at 83

Oyo State government is mourning another first class traditional ruler. The third in months. Earlier the state lost Oba Oyewumi Ajagungbade, the Soun of Ogbomoso and Oba Saliu Adeyunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan. This time the loss is from Oyo town, the traditional tool founded by Oranmiyan, the valiant son of Oduduwa.
Alaafin of Oyo is dead! Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, who worked as an insurance officer before he became king, ruled for a record 51 years.
Reports say he died on Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti just as arrangements were being made to fly him abroad for further medical treatment.
Born to the Alowolodu ruling house on October 15, 1938, Oba Adeyemi ascended the throne in in 1971, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu. That was after the Oyomesi, the kingmakers in Oyo, found him worthy following a rigorous contest among ten princes. His father, Oba Adeyemi Adeniran 11, reigned before Nigeria attained independence, but was deposed for alleged involvement in party politics then.
The late monarch who installed the late Moshood Abiola, publisher and winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election the Aare Ona Kakanfo was known for his consistency and frank contribution to debates on national issues. He was a three-term chancellor of the Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. The university honoured him with the degree of Doctor of Letters, LL. D. A boxer who retired from practice after his enthronement , he never lost his love for physical training till old age.