The ancient city of Oyo state has witnessed the death of another monarch Oba Lamidi Adeyemi the Alaafin of Oyo, he was aged 83. The death of the Alaafin is the 3rd amongst the prominent monarchs in Oyo state in the spate of 5 Months.
Recall that the people of Ogbomosho was thrown into a mourning state when the news of the Soun of Ogbomosho Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III broke out in December 2021.
The monarch died in the early hours of December 12th, 2021 at the age of 95 after being on the throne for 48 years.
He was buried according to Islamic rites at about 4:30 p.m. inside a Vault in the palace.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Saliu Adetunji died 22 days after the death of prominent monarch in Oyo State – Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi.
Adetunji, who was crowned the 41st Olubadan on March 4, 2016 was born on August 26, 1928 to the family of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji in the Alusekere compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan.
Confirming the Olubadan’s death, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said, “The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock.
“His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom, and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled.
“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.”
Oba Adetunji grew up learning vocational jobs until he took up fashion designing as a means of living after moving into Lagos.
While working as a fashion designer, Adetunji delved into musical record marketing until 1960 when he founded his first of three record label imprints called Baba Laje Records which housed notable fuji music acts, including Dauda Epo-Akara and Wasiu Ayinde Marshall.
Prior to his coronation as the Olubadan of Ibadan, Adetunji was the Balogun of Ibadan land.
Four months after the death of prominent Oyo Monarchs, Soun of Ogbomosho and Olubadan of Ibadan, the Alaafin of Oyo has also joined his ancestors
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, passed on at 83 years on Friday night.
Alaafin Adeyemi was born Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi on October 15, 1938 into the Alowolodu Royal House of the famous Oyo town.
The Alaafin started out as a boxer and would have been a professional boxer but kingship called and he had to retire from boxing at an early age of 31 years to become the Alaafin.
Adeyemi died at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti after a brief illness.
The Alaafin ruled for 52 years before his demise, making him the longest-reigning Alaafin.
He became the Alaafin of Oyo in November 18, 1970, succeeding Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu I, during the governorship of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, after the civil war. He was known popularly as Iku Baba Yeye.
However, Oba Lekan Balogun has been installed as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan by kingmakers in Oyo state whilst the people of Ogbomosho and Ibadan await the new Alaafin of Oyo and Soun of Ogbomosho respectively.