Nigerians on Saturday woke up to the news that the paramount ruler, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has joined his ancestors at 83 after ruling the Oyo empire for 52 years.
Late Oba Adeyemi was pronounced dead at the Afe Babalola Hospital, Ado Ekiti.
Though there has not been any official statement yet from the palace and the Oyo State Government, the news of his death is what it is.
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Oba Lamidi Adeyemi was born on October 15, 1938, into the Alowolodu Royal House.
He contested with 10 other people for the position of the Alaafin. The contest started in 1968 and did not end until 1970. That was around the time of the Nigerian Civil War. He was declared the winner three times but the government initially rejected the ruling of the Oyomesi on all three occasions. The Oyomesi advises the Alaafin and is the highest decision-making body in the kingdom.
He is the first Alaafin of Oyo to have married an Igbo woman or going outside Yoruba-land to get a wife.
He was a boxer and was a champion in those days (he still has his punching bag in the courtyard till his last days on earth) and his favourite meals were amala (yam flour), iyan (pounded yam), abula soup, and ogi (pap).
Oba Adeyemi was removed as permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State on May 3, 2011, by the then governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.
He was the first Yoruba monarch to become the Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
In 1990, President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj in recognition of his commitment to the consolidation of Islam in Nigeria.
Oba Adeyemi was the 44th Alaafin of Oyo.
He was the longest-serving Alaafin ever, having reigned for 52 years.
He is survived by 13 wives and more than 20 grown-up children with several grandchildren, among others.
